VIRGINIA 
BAPTIST 
MINISTERS 

George  Braxton  Taylor 


THIRD 


aimuam 
mumnxui 


■2^.1  ■  }& 


m>^  PRINCETON,  N.  J.  *'/// 


Purchased   by  the 
Mrs.    Robert   Lenox    Kennedy  Church    History   Fund. 


BX  6248  .V8  T39  1912 
Taylor,  George  Braxton. 
Virginia  Baptist  ministers 


Virginia  Baptist  Ministers 


THIRD  SERIES 


( 


BY 


GEORGE  BRAXTON   TAYLOR 

Professor  and  Resident  Chaplain  Hollins  College 

Pastor  of  the  "  Hollins  Field  " 

and  author  of 

"  Life  and  Letters  of  Rev.  George  Boardman  Taylor,  D.  D." 


WITH  A  FOREWORD 

BY 

Rev.  Wm.  E.  Hatcher,  D.  D. 


1912 
J.  P.  BELL  COMPANY,  Inc. 

LYNCHBURG,  VA. 


Copyright,  1912 
By  George  Braxton  Taylor 


TO 

MY   WIFE 


THE  FOREWORD 

I  count  it  an  honor,  indeed,  to  hold  a  modest  relation 
with  this  book  which  in  a  little  while  is  to  be  presented 
to  the  public.  It  is  mine  to  introduce  this  volume  to  the 
Baptists  of  Virginia.  It  is  one  of  a  continuous  series 
of  biographical  records  of  Baptist  ministers  of  Virginia, 
who  have  finished  their  work  and  entered  into  rest.  It 
ought  to  be  recalled  that  previous  volumes  of  the  series 
appeared  years  ago,  and  finished  their  task  up  to  the 
year  1860.  It  was  the  wish  of  the  Virginia  Baptists, 
expressed  in  their  late  annual  meeting  at  Norfolk,  that 
the  present  volume  should  cover  all  the  last  forty  years 
of  the  nineteenth  century.  But  the  author  has  found 
that  if  he  should  undertake  in  any  adequate  way  to 
embody  biographical  sketches  of  all  Baptist  ministers 
who  died  in  Virginia  during  that  period  of  time,  it 
would  make  a  volume  too  large  for  companionship 
with  the  volumes  which  have  gone  before.  The  author 
of  this  book,  soon  to  be  published,  expresses  the  hope 
that  some  other  writer  will  take  up  the  story  at  the  point 
where  he  ends,  and  bring  it  up,  at  least,  to  the  year 
1910.  But  it  can  be  safely  said  that  the  public  will  insist 
that  the  honored  and  great-hearted  gentleman  who  is 
preparing  the  present  volume  may  be  persuaded  to  bring- 
out  the  other  volume  as  soon  as  he  may  find  it  con- 
sistent with  the  cares  of  his  rich  and  busy  life  to  do  so. 

There  is  need  of  congratulation  on  every  hand  that 
Dr.  George  Braxton  Taylor,  out  of  the  magnanimity  of 
his  soul,  is  just  finishing  the  volume  which  these  brief 
paragraphs  are  intended  to  present  to  the  Baptist 
Brotherhood  of  Virginia.  Dr.  Taylor  possesses  varied 
and  versatile  gifts,  is  scholarly  by  instinct,  by  progressive 
study,  and  by  a  rare  mastery  of  details.     It  was  with 


THE  FOREWORD  5 

serious  hesitation  that  he  accepted  this  task,  for  his  life 
is  full  of  engrossing  cares,  and  he  was  in  doubt  as  to 
the  wisdom  of  further  multiplying  his  burdens;  but  he 
is  timid  only  when  he  measures  his  own  abilities,  never 
timid  in  the  presence  of  duties  which  his  brethren 
with  loving  authority  lay  upon  him.  His  name  assures 
us  of  discriminating  and  appreciative  service. 

I  greatly  wish  that  it  were  a  part  of  my  power  to 
enlist  our  Baptist  brethren  in  the  State  generally  in  these 
historical  sketches  of  our  Baptist  fathers.  While  the 
period  covered  by  this  volume  does  not  glow  with  the 
romance  and  pathos  of  colonial  and  revolutionary 
period,  it  does  deal  with  another  war  wondrously  rich 
in  deeds  of  sacrifice  and  heroism,  which  constitute  no 
mean  part  of  Southern  history.  It  is  no  secret  that, 
while  it  is  conceded  by  all  that  this  work  ought  to  be 
done,  it  is  also  true  that  there  is  no  financial  income  to 
be  realized  from  the  sale  of  the  work.  It  had  as  well 
be  candidly  said  that  the  book  has  to  be  published  largely 
by  the  voluntary  gifts  of  generous  brethren,  and  by  the 
sale  of  the  publication  itself.  Let  the  hearts  of  our 
people  warm  generously  toward  this  undertaking,  and 
give  to  it  such  kindly  cooperation  as  will  not  only  insure 
for  it  an  extended  circulation,  but  secure  for  the  book 
such  consideration  as  will  be  in  proportion  to  its 
genuine  historical  worth. 

Wm.  E.  Hatcher. 
Fork  Union.  Va.,  July  3.   1912. 


PREFACE 

Biography  is  a  form  of  literature  that  has  not  enjoyed 
the  popularity  it  deserves.     Every  hfe,  if  fully  known 
is  interesting  and  instructive.     While  all  men  are  not 
what  the  world  calls  great,  many  have  had  the  greatness 
of  goodness.     In  the  Virginia  Baptist  mmistry  not  a  few 
great  men  have  filled  prominent  places  with  distmction, 
and  there  have  been  in  its  ranks  very  many  not  known  to 
the  world,  who  have  lived  and  labored  m  our  rural  dis- 
tricts, whose  ability,  piety,  and  consecration  have  been 
of  a  high  order.      The  country  pastor    among  Virginia 
Baptists,    while    not    commanding    a    large    salary,    has 
usually  wielded  a  wide  influence,  and  had  the  love  of 
his  churches.     Strong  ties  of  affection  and  esteem  have 
bound  together  in  finest  fellowship  our  city  and  country 
pastors.     In  this  volume  come  side  by  side  the  stories 
of  prominent  pastors,  and  of  those  who  have  labored  in 
humbler  spheres.     Surely  to  be  one  of  such  a  brother- 
hood,  as   the  Virginia   Baptist   ministry,    is   at   once   a 
privilege  and  a  blessing.  ,        ■        f 

Since  the  publication  of  the  first  and  second  series  of 
the  "Lives  of  Virginia  Baptist  Ministers"  the  denomi- 
nation has  grown  in  numbers,  and  likewise  its  mmistry. 
While  we  are  more  careful  in  preserving  our  history 
than  formerly  we  were,  it  was  not  until  in  the  seventies 
that  the  Minutes  of  the  General  Association  began  to 
give  place  to  regular  obituary  notices  of  deceased 
ministers,  but  these  records  still  are  not  always  complete 
and  full  So  far  as  has  been  possible,  the  files  of  the 
Religious  Herald,  the  minutes  of  district  associations, 
and  private  correspondence  have  been  resorted  to  for  in- 
formation. Yet,  doubtless,  the  record  of  many  worthy 
ministers,  who  have  passed  to  their  reward  m  the  period 

6 


PREFACE  7 

covered  by  this  volume,  does  not  appear  in  these  pages. 
To  some  extent  this  deficiency  might  have  been  avoided 
had  there  been  time  for  extended  research  in  the  room 
of  the  Virginia  Baptist  Historical  Society,  but  since 
this  volume  has  been  prepared  at  Hollins,  among  the 
mountains,  and  not  at  Richmond,  on  the  James,  and  in 
the  midst  of  the  claims  of  the  pastor's  work  and  a 
teacher's  chair,  such  extended  investigation  has  not  been 
possible.  A  partial  file  of  the  Herald  and  of  associa- 
tional  minutes,  together  with  letters  and  other  family 
records  and  published  volumes,  supplemented  with  oc- 
casional visits  to  the  Historical  Society  room,  at  Rich- 
mond College,  have  constituted  the  basis  for  this  book. 

It  is  impossible  to  give  the  names  of  all  who  have 
helped  me  in  this  work.  Besides  the  committee  ap- 
pointed by  the  General  Association,  consisting  of  Dr. 
W.  F.  Dunaway,  Dr.  A.  Bagby,  Dr.  J.  M.  Pilcher, 
Dr.  Geo.  W.  Beale,  and  Hon.  W.  W.  Moffett,  and 
those  whose  subscriptions  for  the  book  have  made 
its  publication  possible,  there  are  many  whose  assist- 
ance has  been  invaluable.  To  name  all  were  im- 
possible. Perhaps,  however,  it  is  not  invidious  to  men- 
tion some  who  have  helped.  My  collection  of  Heralds 
and  minutes  was  greatly  enlarged  by  Rev.  Dr.  H.  C. 
Smith,  and  Miss  Addie  Brown,  of  Christiansburg ;  Miss 
M.  L.  Cocke,  Miss  Ella  Lowman,  Mrs.  SaUie  Walrond, 
and  Mr.  Jno.  O.  Myers,  of  Hollins ;  Mrs.  John  Gilliam, 
of  Prince  Edward  County,  and  Mr.  S.  R.  Twyman,  of 
Buckingham  County.  No  less  valuable  cooperation  has 
come  from  Rev.  Dr.  E.  W.  Winfrey,  Culpeper ;  Rev. 
Dr.  C.  H.  Ryland,  Richmond;  Rev.  W.  J.  Decker, 
Lahore ;  Rev.  L.  Peyton  Little,  Yancey  Mill ;  Rev.  Dr. 
W.  J.  Shipman,  Rice,  and  Miss  Ella  M.  Thomas,  Evans- 
ville,  Ind. 

To  hold  fellowship  with  such  a  goodly  company  as  is 
gathered  within  these  lids  is  indeed  a  blessing,  and  what 


8  PREFACE 

here  is  set  forth  of  holy  hving  and  holy  dying,  as  well 
as  what  has  not  been  told,  should  lead  us  henceforth,  as 
individuals  and  as  a  denomination,  to  preserve  more 
fully  than  we  have  done  the  record  of  those  who,  by 
reason  of  their  useful  and  righteous  lives,  as  ministers 
of  the  gospel,  enter  the  ranks  of  the  immortal  dead  who 
live  again. 

George  Braxton  Taylor. 

"The  Hill,"  Rollins,  Va. 
August  12,  1912. 


CONTENTS 

PAGE 

Joel    Johns 11 

William    Rufus    Powell 13 

John  Lamb   Prichard 18 

Jackson  Jefferson  Obenchain 26 

Edward   G.    Shipp 27 

Edward   Baptist 28 

Cumberland    George 41 

Jehu  Lewis  Shuck 45 

Francis  Marion    Barker 48 

Archibald   A.    Baldwin 52 

Reuben    Ford 54 

William    Mylne 56 

William    Harris 57 

Richard    Nutt    Herndon 63 

Samuel    Dorset 69 

Robert  Boyle  Crawford  Howell 71 

William    P.    Parish 1^ 

Richard    Hugh    Bagby 80 

Joseph    Stephens   Walthall 93 

Pittacus   L.   Richeson , 95 

James  Lovett  Powell 96 

Daniel  Witt 98 

James   B.   Taylor 108 

Patrick    Warren 128 

George   Pearcy 132 

Addison    Hall 138 

Abram    Maer    Poindexter 146 

Henry    W.    Watkins 165 

Absalom   Cornelius   Dempsey 166 

Littlebury  W.  Allen 172 

Gilbert    Mason 177 

R.    N.   Lee 179 

John   A.    Strachan 180 

A.   H.    Spilman 182 

Samuel    Taylor 184 

Thomas   Hume,   Senior 186 

James    Garnett 202 

Thomas  B.   Evans 211 

Porter    Cleveland 214 

Peter  Charles  Hoge 217 

Alphonse  Paul  Repiton 222 

James    Fife 225 

William  F.  Broaddus 237 

Thomas  W.  Roberts 248 

William   S.  Bland 252 


10  Contents 

PAGE 

Howard  W.  Montague 254 

MoRDECAi  Hagood 255 

William    Han  kins 256 

Herndon   Frazer 259 

Putnam   Owens 264 

Joseph  Herndon  Gordon 265 

James    Gregory 267 

G.  C.  Trevillian 269 

Norvel  Winsboro  Wilson 270 

William    Moore 279 

Thaddeus    Herndon 280 

A.  B.  Smith 288 

John  Johns 291 

James  Fendall  Parkinson 293 

Alexander   Barlow 297 

Jeremiah  Bell  Jeter 301 

Henry  F.  Cundiff 328 

Solomon   Funk 329 

Barnas  Sears 332 

Charles  Richard  Dickinson 336 

John  Henry  Lacy 339 

Robert   H.   Land 341 

JosiAH  Clanton  Bailey 342 

Charles  Quarles 344 

Samuel  B.   Barber 347 

Isaac   S.   Tinsley 348 

Lewis   P.   Fellers 349 

William  T.  Lindsey 351 

Armistead  H.  Ogden 352 

William  Logwood  Hatcher 355 

Warren   G.   Roane 358 

Elijah   White  Roach 359 

John   N.   Fox 364 

John  Hubbard  Cawthon 365 

John  O.  Turpin 367 

William   Heath    Kirk 370 

Abner   Anthony 375 

Silas    Bruce 377 

William  Allen  Tyree 379 

Robert   Burton 381 

William  Carey  Crane 384 

Barnet   Grimsley 389 

Samuel  Blair  Rice 397 

Abram  Burwell  Brown 402 


LIVES  OF  VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

JOEL  JOHNS 

Elder  Joel  Johns,  as  the  people  in  his  day  used  to  call 
him,  was  born  in  what  was  then  known  as  Amelia 
County,  at  his  father's  home,  "Mountain  Hall,"  in  the 
year  1753.  His  ancestor  Joel  John  Johns,  a  native  of 
Wales  and  a  dissenter,  immigrated  to  this  country  in  1669, 
and  settled  at  a  place  near  the  lower  Appomattox.  A 
nephew  of  his,  by  the  name  of  Richard  Johns,  came  to 
America  in  1671  in  company  with  George  Fox,  and, 
although  a  Baptist  as  his  uncle,  was  influenced  by  Fox, 
and,  instead  of  settling  near  Joel  John  Johns,  joined  the 
Society  of  Friends,  and  became  a  minister  among  them 
in  Calvert  County,  Maryland.  The  descendants  of  this 
Richard  Johns  afterwards  became  members  of  the 
Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  and  gave  to  Virginia  her 
fourth  Bishop  of  that  denomination  in  the  person  of 
John  Johns. 

Elder  Joel  Johns  at  an  early  age  professed  religion 
and  became  such  a  zealous  member  of  the  Baptist 
church  that  the  Spirit  impelled  him  to  seek  ordination  to 
preach  the  gospel  in  spite  of  the  difficulties  which  the 
Established  Church  put  into  the  way  of  any  dissenter, 
and  he  obeyed  his  calling  so  fearlessly  that  he  suffered 
twice  imprisonment  in  Chesterfield  jail.  After  the 
Declaration  of  Independence  Elder  Johns  enlisted  seven 
times  in  the  Revolutionary  Army,  serving  seven  years 
under  General  Washington,  and  acting  as  chaplain  among 
those  of  his  fellow-soldiers  who  were  members  of  the 
same  faith.  After  the  surrender  at  Yorktown  he 
returned  to  his  home  in  Amelia  County  and  devoted  him- 

11 


12  VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

self  to  preaching  the  gospel  and  supporting  himself  by 
farming.  He  was  so  successful  in  both  that  at  his  death 
he  owned  all  the  land  along  King's  Road  in  Lunenburg 
County  from  the  Nottoway  to  the  Meherrin  River,  and 
he  had  so  burned  the  Baptist  principles  into  the  hearts 
of  the  people  of  that  county  that  the  Episcopal  Church, 
once  the  leading  church  in  the  county,  had  dwindled 
down  to  almost  nothing.  He  died  in  1837,  revered  by 
all  as  the  founder  of  the  Baptist  cause  in  Lunenburg 
County.  Elder  Johns  began  to  preach  the  Gospel  as  an 
evangelist  in  the  counties  of  Amelia,  Nottoway,  Prince 
Edward,  and  Lunenburg.  His  itinerant  life  made  him 
abandon  his  native  county  after  preaching  and  establish- 
ing churches  there.  So  we  find  him  towards  the  end  of 
the  century  in  Prince  Edward  County  with  headquarters 
at  Rice's,  where  he  had  again  made  a  home  for  himself, 
never  calling  upon  anyone  for  support,  but  farming  for 
a  living,  and  preaching  because  of  the  Spirit  that  com- 
pelled him.  Afterwards  he  moved  into  Lunenburg 
County,  and  in  1814  he  organized  the  Banner  church  of 
Tusseiciah,  presided  over  in  1816  by  James  Jeffress,  and 
continued  his  evangelistic  work  among  his  beloved  people 
until  the  Master  called  him  home  in  1837,  when  he  was 
laid  to  rest  at  "Aspin  Hall,"  his  last  home  and  residence 
in  Lunenburg  County. 

Elder  Johns  had  thirteen  children,  two  sons  and  eleven 
daughters,  all  worthy  members  of  the  Baptist  church. 
A  brother  of  his,  by  the  name  of  Stephen  Johns,  left 
Virginia  in  his  early  manhood  to  seek  a  home  further 
south,  and  settled  in  Wake  County,  North  Carolina,  be- 
coming the  founder  of  that  godly  branch  of  the  North 
Carolina  Johns,  who  are  all  good  and  influential  Baptist 
people. 

A.  T.  L.  Kusian. 


WILLIAM  RUFUS  POWELL* 

William  Rufus  Powell  was  born  in  Spottsylvania 
County,  Virginia,  November  13,  1808.  His  father, 
Ptolemy  Powell,  a  man  of  sterling  integrity  of  character 
and  piety,  made  the  Bible  his  daily  study,  and  those  who 
knew  him  testified  that  his  life  was  closely  conformed 
to  its  precepts.  His  mother,  who  was  Sidney  Daniel,  the 
only  child  of  Robert  Daniel,  was  a  woman  of  marked 
individuality,  and  with  decided  convictions  which  she 
did  not  hesitate  to  announce  and  defend  before  the  most 
learned  people  she  chanced  to  meet.  She  died  when  her 
son  William  Rufus  was  only  eight  years  old,  and  so  his 
training  passed  to  the  hands  of  his  father  and  the  older 
sisters,  yet  the  precepts  and  example  of  the  mother  con- 
tinued to  live  in  the  home.  The  Bible  and  family  wor- 
ship still  held  their  place  in  the  home,  and  Mt.  Hermon 
Church,  whose  paster.  Rev.  J.  A.  Billingsley,  was  art 
honored  counselor  and  friend,  was  a  hallowed  place. 
Into  this  home,  the  preachers,  journeying  on  horseback 
or  in  gig  to  or  from  their  appointments,  were  received 
with  glad  welcome.  So  the  children  had  pure  and  up- 
lifting influences  around  them.  William  Rufus,  until 
his  seventeenth  year,  had  the  help  of  this  home  in  his 
life,  his  education  making  good  progress  in  an  "old  field" 
school,  where  his  first  teacher  was  Rev.  Herndon  Frazer. 
He  had  become  a  very  fair  English  and  Latin  scholar, 
and  had  given  evidence  of  considerable  literary  ability 
in  various  poems  and  essays  that  his  pen  had  produced. 
His  ambition  at  this  period,  however,  was  to  be  a  lawyer. 
Yet  the  schoolroom  was  still  for  a  season  the  sphere  of 
his  activity,  he  now,  however,  being  the  pedagogue. 
First  in  Louisa  County  and  then  in  Spottsylvania  he 
swayed  the  rod.     In  this  latter  section  he  boarded  at  the 


*Based   on  biographical   sketch   by  his   daughter  in   his   "Scenes 
from  a  Barroom." 

13 


14  VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

home  of  Capt.  Therit  Towles,  who  was  a  widower.  His 
only  daughter,  Mary,  was  making  her  home  with  her 
aunt,  Mrs.  Col.  Philip  Slaughter,  of  Culpeper.  But  she 
and  her  aunt  frequently  visited  her  father's  home,  where 
the  young  schoolmaster  met  her,  fell  in  love  with  her, 
and  at  the  age  of  twenty-one  married  her.  He  became 
deputy  to  his  father-in-law,  who  was  sheriff  of  the 
county,  and  settled  down  to  a  farmer's  life  on  a  planta- 
tion supplied  with  all  the  necessary  equipment.  Here  his 
environment  was  very  different  from  that  of  his  boy- 
hood home.  Sumptuous  meals,  sparkling  wines,  the  card 
table,  numerous  guests,  were  now  the  order  of  the  day. 
The  drunken  revels  disgusted  him  and  proved  a  warning 
and  safeguard  to  him.  While  he  continued  his  law 
studies,  much  time  was  given  to  cards,  chess,  back- 
gammon, dancing,  and  fox  hunting.  With  all  this  round 
of  amusements  he  managed  to  read  widely,  sitting  up  to 
indulge  this  taste  late  into  the  night  while  the  rest  of  the 
household  slept.  This  practice  soon  became  such  a  habit 
that  through  life  four  hours  of  sleep  sufficed  him,  and 
often  he  gave  himself  only  two.  By  this  extensive  read- 
ing the  loss  his  education  had  sustained  through  reason 
of  his  early  marriage  was  in  no  small  measure  counter- 
balanced. 

For  years  letters  from  a  pious  sister  urging  him  to 
give  heed  to  his  spiritual  welfare  seemed  to  bear  no 
fruit.  His  home  at  Clover  Green,  Spottsylvania 
County,  was  two  miles  from  Mine  Road  Church,  where 
Rev.  Philip  Pendleton,  a  man  of  deep  piety,  was  pastor. 
Upon  the  entreaty  of  his  wife  he  attended  this  place  of 
worship,  and  came  away  concerned  now  no  longer  about 
the  amusements  that  had  so  largely  engaged  his  atten- 
tion, but  about  the  eternal  welfare  of  his  soul.  The 
Bible  became  his  reading  and  a  little  grove  beyond  the 
barn  the  place  where  he  cried  to  God  in  prayer  for 
pardon.  Finally  the  light  came  and  the  next  Sunday 
morning  he  presented  himself  at  Craig's  Meeting  House, 


WILLIAM  RUFUS  POWELL  15 

some  eight  miles  away,  confessing  the  Saviour.  The 
pastor,  Rev.  Jacob  Herndon,  greeted  him  with  the  quaint 
remark :  "Ah,  my  Httle  black-headed  fellow,  the  devil 
didn't  send  you  here  to-day,"  and  gave  him  an  oppor- 
tunity to  address  the  congregation.  This  he  did  out  of 
a  full  heart.  Soon  afterwards  he  and  his  wife  were 
baptized  into  the  fellowship  of  the  Mine  Road  Church 
by  Rev.  Philip  Pendleton.  Before  long  he  was  licensed 
and  became  Mr.  Pendleton's  assistant,  and  upon  this 
venerable  man's  death  his  successor  in  the  pastorate  of 
the  church.  He  was  ordained  in  1836.  His  advocacy 
of  the  truth  as  he  saw  it  was  bold  and  fearless,  yet  meek- 
ness and  gentleness  were  prominent  traits  in  his  char- 
acter, and  when  railing  accusations  were  brought  against 
him,  and  this  was  often  the  case,  the  tear  of  sorrow  was 
seen  to  trickle  down  his  cheek,  and  the  prayer  "Father^ 
forgive  them"  was  heard  to  fall  from  his  lips.  His 
theology  was  of  the  Calvinistic  type,  yet  it  did  not  go  to 
those  excesses  so  common  in  his  day.  He  was  a  zealous 
advocate  of  missions,  and  once  in  his  church  of  thirty 
or  forty  members  a  collection  of  two  hundred  dollars 
was  raised  for  this  great  cause,  the  basket  coming  back 
full  of  jewelry  that  women  had  contributed.  During 
the  early  years  of  his  ministry  he  was  perhaps  the  most 
popular  preacher  in  his  association.  His  style  was 
natural  and  unaffected  and  his  language  simple  and  easily 
understood.  The  doctrines  of  grace,  election,  and  pre- 
destination were  with  him  especially  favorite  themes. 
As  a  revivalist  he  was  quite  successful,  often  carrying 
on  a  protracted  meeting  in  one  place  for  a  month,  and 
as  a  result  of  it  baptizing  thirty  or  forty  people. 

In  the  great  cause  of  temperance  he  was  a  leader  and 
a  pioneer.  In  his  views  on  this  burning  question  he  was 
many  years  in  advance  of  the  great  majority  of  his 
brethren  and  of  many  of  his  fellow-ministers.  He  con- 
tended that  the  church  should  not  allow  the  use  of  ardent 
spirits  as  a  beverage  by  its  members.     He  believed  in 


16  VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

total  abstinence,  and  that  the  church  should  hold  this 
position.  It  was  not  long  before  these  views  caused 
great  divisions  in  churches,  brought  on  discussions  in 
the  Association,  and  finally  led  to  the  organization  of  a 
new  body  known  as  the  Hebron  Association.  The 
churches  that  adopted  these  views  on  temperance  came  to 
be  known  as  the  "Test"  churches,  and  this  title  came  to 
be  the  shibboleth  of  the  movement.  From  the  Mine  Road 
and  the  Massaponax  churches  minorities  went  out  and 
formed  new  organizations  and  so  the  fire  spread  until 
there  were  some  five  or  six  churches  scattered  over  a  con- 
siderable area  that  held  these  views  on  temperance.  The 
members  who  went  out  from  Mine  Road  called  their  new 
organization  Hebron  and  later  this  name  was  adopted 
by  the  Association  of  which  it  became  a  member.  In- 
dividual members,  who  sided  with  the  "Test,"  took  their 
letters  from  their  several  churches  and  united  with  these 
new  organizations.  At  Mine  Road  about  1847,  Mr. 
Powell,  since  the  church  would  not  adopt  his  views, 
resigned.  With  him  went  sixteen  members.  Later  they 
returned,  pastor  and  all,  but  the  reconciliation  was  not 
permanent,  and  a  second  time  the  believers  in  total 
abstinence,  now  twenty  strong,  again  withdrew,  Hebron 
was  organized.  Elders  Lawrence  Battaile  and  James  L. 
Powell  being  the  Presbytery,  and  W.  R.  Powell  chosen 
as  pastor.  The  Goshen  Association  cordially  received  the 
churches  which  had  adopted  what  were  regarded  as 
extreme  views  on  temperance,  until  1857,  when  the  Flat 
Run  Church  stated  in  their  letter  to  the  Association  that 
they  had  adopted  a  rule  refusing  to  hold  in  their  fellow- 
ship those  who  made,  sold,  or  used  intoxicants  as  bever- 
ages. The  Flat  Run  letter  asked  whether  their  action  was 
in  harmony  with  the  resolution  adopted  the  previous  year 
by  the  Association  disapproving  of  moderate  drinking. 
In  answer  the  body  adopted  this  resolution :  "The  Asso- 
ciation certainly  did  not  design,  by  the  adoption  of  the 
resolution  referred  to,  to  recommend  what  is  familiarly 


WILLIAM  RUFUS  POWELL  17 

known  as  the  'Test,'  as  the  proper  means  to  put  down  the 
practice  of  moderate  drinking,  nor  does  the  Association 
now  think  such  'Test'  to  be  the  scriptural  mode  of  accom- 
pHshing  that  object."  This  action  compelled  the  "Test" 
churches  to  withdraw  and  the  Hebron  Association  was 
formed.  The  article  of  its  constitution  touching  the 
question  at  issue  read  thus :  "The  use  of  intoxicating 
liquors  as  a  beverage  is  positively  interdicted."  Mr. 
Powell  did  not  stand  alone  in  his  temperance  views,  but 
had  as  fellow-champions  such  Baptist  leaders  in  his  sec- 
tion of  Virginia  as  Elders  J.  W.  Herndon,  Joseph  A. 
Billingsley,  and  John  Churchill  Willis.  Besides  his  ad- 
vocacy of  total  abstinence  by  speeches  and  sermons,  Mr. 
Willis  also  used  his  pen.  He  wrote  for  the  Religious 
Herald  and  other  papers.  Finally  he  established  at 
Fredericksburg,  for  the  defence  of  his  views,  the 
Jlrginia  Baptist,  the  first  issue  of  which  appeared  May 
1,  1858.  i\fter  the  War  the  Hebron  Association  dis- 
banded, its  churches,  upon  the  invitation  of  the  Goshen 
becoming  members  of  that  body,  carrying  their  "Test" 
with  them. 

For  some  months  before  his  death  Mr.  Powell  was 
in  a  low  state  of  health.  When  various  remedies  failed, 
he  went,  accompanied  by  his  wife  and  Dr.  Towles,  her 
brother,  seeking  relief,  to  the  Rockbridge  Alum  Springs. 
No  improvement  came,  so  he  w^as  carried  to  the  kind 
home  of  Brother  Goodloe  at  Goshen,  and  here  on 
Wednesday  evening,  July  13,  1859,  he  passed  to  his 
reward.  His  last  sermon  to  his  Hebron  Church  was  on 
the  text :  "Which  hope  we  have  as  an  anchor  of  the 
soul,"  etc.  During  his  tedious  illness  his  hopes  grew 
brighter  every  day.  Again  and  again  his  children  and 
friends  were  called  on  to  sing  his  favorite  hymn,  "How 
Firm  a  Foundation."  The  one  hundred  and  second  and 
one  hundred  and  third  were  his  favorite  psalms.  At 
peace  with  himself  and  all  the  world  he  awaited  with 
resignation  the  will  of  God. 


JOHN  LAMB  PRICHARD 

Although  no  hfe  is  without  its  romance  and  pathos 
these  features  are  conspicuous  and  easy  to  find  in  the 
careers  of  some  men.  In  our  day,  when  educational 
advantages  are  within  the  reach  of  almost  every  youth, 
and  when  many  preachers  have  many  of  the  comforts 
and  luxuries  of  life,  such  a  record  as  that  of  John  Lamb 
Prichard  should  prove  a  moral  tonic  to  our  young  men 
and  to  our  preachers.  The  second  of  six  children,  he 
was  born  in  Pasquotank  County,  North  Carolina,  June 
6,  1811.  His  parents  were  in  moderate  circumstances, 
content  with  their  lot,  pious,  members  of  a  Baptist 
church,  esteemed  for  their  blameless  Hfe.  His  father 
would  rise  at  an  early  hour  to  study  the  Bible  and  pray 
before  the  regular  work  of  the  day  began.  Nor  was  the 
wife  unworthy  of  such  a  husband.  Alas!  this  good 
father  died  when  his  son  John  was  only  nine  years  old. 
Now,  labor,  more  than  ever  before,  became  the  lot  of  the 
mother  and  her  six  children.  John  was  apprenticed  to 
a  carpenter,  where  he  did  neatly  and  with  dispatch  his 
work.  A  thirst  for  knowledge  led  him  to  spend  his 
leisure  moments  in  the  companionship  of  books.  In 
1831,  when  he  was  twenty  years  old,  he  was  "happily 
and  thoroughly  converted,"  and  was  baptized  into  the 
fellowship  of  the  church  at  Shiloh,  Camden  County, 
North  Carolina,  by  Rev.  Evan  Forbes.  While  he  had 
after  this  his  temptations,  one  of  them,  strange  to  say, 
being  to  use  profane  oaths,  his  progress  in  piety  w^as 
steadily  onward.  With  his  conversion  came  a  willing- 
ness to  speak  for  Jesus,  even  though  he  had  to  walk  three 
or  four  miles,  when  the  day's  work  was  done,  to  reach 
the  prayer-meeting.  No  wonder  that  soon  he  was  made 
deacon. 

18 


JOHN  LAMB  PRICHARD  19 

In  May,  1 834,  Rev.  John  Armstrong,  on  a  trip  through 
the  eastern  part  of  North  Carohna,  in  the  interests  of 
Wake  Forest  Institute  (now  Wake  Forest  College), 
then  recently  estabhshed,  met  Mr.  Prichard.  So 
effective  was  the  agent's  plea  that  the  young  carpenter 
threw  down  his  hammer,  saying  in  an  emphatic  way : 
"This  is  my  last  job  here.  I  am  now  going  to  school." 
With  his  scanty  wardrobe,  his  tools,  and  such  books  as 
he  had,  he  arrived  at  Wake  Forest  in  the  night  about 
the  middle  of  1835.  During  college  months,  as  well  as 
in  vacation,  he  worked  with  his  hands  to  meet  expenses, 
not  even  visiting  his  mother  and  sisters  but  twice  during 
these  student  years,  though  his  devotion  to  them  was 
profound.  Presently  his  funds,  notwithstanding  all  his 
labor  and  economy,  were  exhausted.  A  letter  to  a  man 
of  means,  asking  for  the  loan  of  a  modest  sum  of  money, 
closed  with  these  pathetic  words :  "Dear  sir,  will  you 
befriend  me?  Will  you  become  the  most  valuable 
friend  I  can  have  on  earth  ?  Oh,  sir,  I  shall  be  bound 
to  you  by  an  affection  that  can  never  cool,  by  gratitude 
that  never  can  change."  All  the  money  he  borrowed 
during  these  days  was  eventually  repaid  "with  scrupu- 
lous exactness."     He  graduated  with  honor  in   1840. 

Upon  his  graduation,  with  a  view  to  paying  his  debts, 
he  taught  school  in  Murfreesboro  for  a  year,  and  then 
became  associated  with  Rev.  John  Kerr,  pastor  of  the 
Baptist  church,  of  Danville,  Va.,  and  formerly  pastor  of 
the  First  Baptist  Church,  Richmond,  Va.  In  March, 
1842,  he  was  ordained  and  became  pastor  of  the  Dan- 
ville church,  his  venerable  predecessor  passing  to  his 
reward  September  22,  1842.  In  the  same  month  Mr. 
Prichard  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Mary  B. 
Hinton,  daughter  of  Jas.  Hinton,  of  Wake  County, 
North  Carolina.  His  work  in  Danville  was  arduous. 
It  seems  that  part  of  his  time  was  given  to  several  neigh- 
boring   country    churches.      He    labored    in    protracted 


20  VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

meetings  and  was  a  leader  in  the  work  of  the  Associa- 
tion. The  old  Roanoke  Association  had  divided,  on  the 
question  of  missions,  into  the  Dan  River  and  the 
Roanoke  Associations.  The  Roanoke,  that  had  taken  its 
stand  against  the  great  missionary  enterprise,  was 
brought  back  to  acceptance  of  the  obligation  of  the  Great 
Commission  by  John  L.  Prichard.  Nor  was  Mr. 
Prichard's  interest  and  effort  limited  to  Danville  and  his 
district  Association;  he  was  regular  in  his  attendance 
on  the  General  Association  and  the  Southern  Baptist 
Convention.  In  his  work  as  pastor  he  kept  constantly 
on  hand  a  good  supply  of  books,  which  he  sold  or  gave 
away  as  circumstances  suggested.  During  his  pastorate 
in  Danville  his  wife  died,  leaving  two  children,  Mary 
Hinton  and  Robert.  On  October  30,  1850,  he  was 
married  to  Miss  Jane  E.  Taylor,  oldest  child  of  Rev. 
Dr.  Jas.  B.  Taylor,  of  Richmond,  Va.  During  his  ten 
years  in  Danville.  256  members  had  been  added  to  the 
Danville  church,  his  other  churches  had  been  revived, 
and  a  new  church  organized  at  Bethany.  On  January  8, 
1852,  he  received  an  unanimous  call  to  the  church  in 
Lynchburg,  Va.  His  diary  later  in  the  month  says: 
"19th.  Intensely  cold.  Wrote  a  letter  of  acceptance 
to  the  Lynchburg  church.  Bro.  Palmer  spent  the  night 
at  our  house — the  coldest  recollected  by  any  of  us. 
20th.  The  coldest  weather  ever  known  here.  The  falls 
entirely  frozen  over.  Ice  from  five  to  six  inches  thick. 
Began  to  make  arrangements  for  moving."  His  diary 
for  two  days  in  February  shows  how^  different  travel 
between  Danville  and  Lynchburg  is  to-day  from  what 
it  was  then.  "4th.  Made  an  early  start  for  Lynchburg, 
traveling  till  sundown,  and  stopping  through  the  night 
at  Mrs.  B's.  5th.  Started  at  sunrise.  Mild,  pleasant 
day.  Reached  Mr.  Hollins'  house  in  Lynchburg  about 
sundown.  Devoutly  thankful  to  God  for  his  mercy." 
Lynchburg  then  had  10,000  inhabitants,  and  its  streets 


JOHN  LAMB  PRICHARD  21 

were  even  steeper  than  they  are  to-day,  for  a  visitor 
seeking  a  friend's  house  declared  that  the  following 
direction  led  him  to  the  place  he  desired  to  reach :  "Keep 
up  the  street  and  go  any  way  you  can  without  breaking 
your  neck  and  you  will  not  go  wrong."  During  the 
pastorate  of  Mr.  Prichard's  predecessor,  Rev.  J.  W.  M. 
Williams,  a  new  meeting-house  had  been  begun,  but 
owing  to  a  law-suit  and  other  obstacles,  never  finished. 
Altogether  the  situation  that  confronted  the  new  pastor 
was  discouraging.  Later  on  "difficulties  in  the  admin- 
istration of  church  discipline  arose."  All  of  these 
difficulties  were  overcome,  the  new^  meeting-house  was 
completed,  and  perfect  harmony  secured  in  the  church. 
His  pastorate  of  four  years  was  highly  successful,  and 
useful,  peaceful  years  in  Lynchburg  seemed  to  await 
him.  However,  within  a  few  days  of  each  other  two 
calls  came  from  North  Carolina,  one  to  the  pastorate  of 
the  First  Baptist  Church,  Wilmington,  the  other  to  the 
presidency  of  the  Oxford  Female  College.  His  diary, 
for  January  7,  1856,  says:  "Wrote  to  W.  indicating  my 
acceptance  of  the  call  to  the  pastorate  of  the  church." 
The  Wilmington  pastorate  began  January  31,  1856. 
Since  Mr.  Prichard  was  a  ready  speaker,  the  entry  in 
his  diary  for  February  2d  (the  next  day  he  was  to 
preach  the  first  sermon  in  his  new  field)  is  the  more 
amusing:  "Boxes  of  furniture  and  books  not  arrived. 
Feel  great  anxiety  for  the  Sabbath.  No  sermons.  Lord, 
help  me.''  He  was  a  faithful  pastor  and  an  excellent 
preacher;  he  visited  his  people;  he  was  always  in  the 
Sabbath  school ;  he  was  conscientious  in  his  preparation 
for  the  pulpit ;  gentleness  and  firmness  characterized 
his  work.  One  Sunday  morning  he  was  at  the  Cape 
Fear  River  at  4.30  a.  m.  to  baptize  a  candidate,  the  tide, 
as  well  as  his  zeal,  compelling  this  early  work.  Mr. 
Prichard's  diary  gives  beautiful  glimpses  of  him  as 
father    and    husband.      His    household    affections    were 


22  VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

deep  and  strong.  When  his  infant  child,  Jimmie,  died, 
his  heart  was  greatly  moved,  and  in  after  years  he  more 
than  once  alludes  to  this  little  one's  grave.  Six  other 
children  blessed  the  home,  and  held  the  father's  deep 
love.  The  picture  of  the  family  at  prayers  is  uplifting, 
and  his  letters  to  his  daughter  away  at  school  are  tender 
and  loving.  In  the  process  of  time  plans  were  put  on 
foot  for  a  new  meeting-house.  On  a  single  day  $10,000 
was  subscribed  to  this  object.  Gifts  from  other  parts 
of  the  State  came  in,  but,  alas !  the  cruel  Civil  War  put 
a  stop,  all  too  soon,  to  this  important  enterprise.  Before 
the  dark  war  cloud  arose,  however,  the  city  was  visited 
by  the  most  wonderful  religious  awakening  in  its  his- 
tory. It  touched  all  denominations  and  went  on  for  two 
months.  Mr.  Prichard's  labors  were  almost  incessant. 
Each  day  began  with  a  sunrise  prayer-meeting.  Then 
hours  of  visiting  were  followed  by  another  prayer- 
meeting  in  a  different  part  of  the  city.  After  a  brief 
rest  in  the  afternoon  came  the  preaching  service  at  night. 
Some  100  persons  were  added  to  his  church  during  this 
revival.  It  is  needless  to  say  that  Wilmington  and  this 
Wilmington  pastor  shared  the  anxiety  which  prevailed 
in  the  South  during  the  trying  months  that  led  up  to  the 
War.  Then  came  the  War  itself  with  its  tremendous 
demands  upon  the  resources  and  sympathy  of  the 
Southern  people.  The  soldiers  were  objects  of  Mr. 
Prichard's  earnest  solicitud*?.  He  visited  them  in  their 
camps,  seeking,  by  the  distribution  of  books  and  papers, 
to  lessen  their  lonesomeness  and  temptations,  and  by 
religious  conversation  and  services  to  bring  them 
spiritual  comfort.  Many  a  sick  soldier  was  cared  for 
in  this  preacher's  home.  Nor  were  his  efforts  on  behalf 
of  the  soldiers  limited  to  Wilmington.  He  went  to 
Richmond  and  spent  a  week  in  the  crowded  hospitals 
there,  doing  all  in  his  power  for  the  sufferers.  A  few 
weeks   later  he  went  again  to  Richmond,  this  time   in 


JOHN  LAMB  PRICHARD  23 

charge  of  a  car  loaded  with  fruits,  vegetables,  and  other 
things  needed  by  the  sick  and  wounded.  At  Weldon, 
when  the  conductor,  at  3  a.  m.,  refused  to  attach  the 
car  to  his  train,  Mr.  Prichard  spread  out  his  overcoat 
in  the  car  and  tried  in  vain  to  sleep.  Presently  another 
train  came  along,  whose  conductor  agreed  to  carry  the 
car,  and  so  the  good  things  reached  their  destination. 

By  the  summer  of  1862,  many  Southern  ports  were 
closed  and  the  blockade  runners  had  begun  their  career. 
These  ships  brought  to  the  shut-in  people  "rich  cargoes 
— munitions  of  war  and  the  prime  necessities  of  life." 
Wilmington  saw  much  of  the  blockade  runners  and 
shared  in  their  blessings.  One  day  in  July,  "the  dashing 
little  Kate,  formerly  a  Charleston  packet-boat,  steamed 
boldly  through  the  Federal  fleet  blockading  the  mouth 
of  the  Cape  Fear  River,  and  brought  up  to  the  wharves 
of  Wilmington  a  valuable  cargo  from  Nassau,  New 
Providence.  She  rapidly  unloaded,  as  rapidly  reloaded 
with  cotton  and  departed  on  her  second  voyage.  But 
she  left  behind  her  that  which  brought  to  Wilmington 
many  a  sad  day,  and  before  which  even  the  horrors  and 
excitements  of  a  great  war  were  forgotten.  She  left 
behind  her  the  seeds  of  the  dreadful  scourge,  the  yellow 
fever."  At  first  the  disease  was  not  recognized  as 
yellow  fever.  At  last,  on  September  15th,  the  dreadful 
truth  dawned  upon  the  people.  Many,  very  many,  fled 
from  the  city.  Already,  on  August  1 5th,  Mr.  Prichard's 
family  had  gone  to  Richmond.  Mr.  Prichard  decided 
to  remain  at  his  post.  He  and  the  Catholic  priest  were 
the  only  preachers  who  remained  in  the  city.  During 
the  week  ending  October  3d  there  were  267  cases  and 
eighty-two  deaths.  The  next  week  the  deaths  numbered 
forty  and  the  next  102  and  the  next  111  ;  then  the 
plague  seemed  to  pause  and  week  by  week  the  deaths 
decreased  in  number.  Of  all  those  who  were  smitten 
by  the  dread  disease  2)77  died.     Many  prominent  men 


24  VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

fell  as  victims  to  the  awful  scourge.  Help  was  sent  to 
the  suffering  city.  Lime  was  scattered  and  hundreds  of 
barrels  of  rosin  were  burned.  The  smell  of  coal  tar  per- 
vaded the  town.  The  stores  were  closed,  eventually 
even  drug  stores  did  not  open  their  doors.  Funerals 
were  the  order  of  the  day.  Sundays  passed  without 
church  services.  Finally  the  dreaded  disease  reached 
Mr.  Prichard's  home,  and  first  the  servants  and  then 
his  sister  were  numbered  among  the  sick.  Upon  him 
fell  the  work  of  cook  and  nurse.  Finally  he,  too,  was 
overcome,  and  his  son  Robert  was  the  only  well  person 
in  the  home.  He  secured  an  excellent  nurse  and  physi- 
cians for  his  loved  ones,  and  wrote  again  and  again  to 
the  anxious  circle  in  Richmond.  Mr.  Prichard  rallied 
once,  and  there  was  a  brief  hope  that  he  would  recover, 
but  while  a  man  of  temperate  habits  he  was  not  over 
strong,  and  the  strain  upon  him  had  been  most  heavy, 
so  that  when  attacked  by  jaundice,  he  rapidly  gave  way, 
his  death  occurring  on  November  13,  1862.  The  last 
words  he  wrote  in  a  letter  to  his  wife  were  these:  "To 
God  I  commit  you  all  and  my  spirit  I  commit  to  Him. 
Sweet  babes,  dear  wife,  friends  and  brethren,  vain  world, 
adieu!  in  hope  of  eternal  life."  And  he  had  felt  that 
death  was  not  far  away,  for  he  said  to  one  near  him : 
"This  is  the  last  letter  I  shall  ever  write  my  wife."  Yet 
"so  rapid  was  his  decline  and  so  unexpected  his  death, 
that  while  the  absent  members  of  his  family  were  antici- 
pating a  speedy  reunion  around  the  fireside,  and  his 
friends  were  rejoicing  over  the  tidings  of  his  improved 
health,  a  little  band  of  sincere  mourners  accompanied  his 
remains  to  their  last  resting-place  and  laid  him — in  the 
spot  selected  by  himself — by  the  side  of  'darling  Jimmie,' 
there  to  repose  till  the  morning  of  the  resurrection." 

The  son,  Robert  S..  mentioned  as  faithfully  caring 
for  his  sick  and  dying  father,  became  a  young  man  of 
deep  piety  and  splendid  promise.     He  offered  himself 


JOHN  LAMB  PRICHARD  25 

as  a  missionary,  and  was  appointed,  by  the  Foreign 
Mission  Board  of  the  Southern  Baptist  Convention,  to 
go  to  Shanghai,  China.  While  pursuing  his  studies  at 
the  University  of  Virginia,  he  contracted,  from  a  walk 
in  the  snow  to  a  mission  Sunday  school,  a  severe  cold, 
which  settled  upon  his  lungs  and  developed  into  con- 
sumption. On  January  21,  1872,  in  the  home  where 
Rev.  James  B.  Taylor  had,  less  than  a  month  before, 
departed  this  life,  the  angel  of  death  came  to  the  young 
soldier  of  the  cross,  who  was  just  girding  on  his  armor. 
At  the  General  Association  of  1872,  in  Staunton,  Va., 
the  report  on  Foreign  Missions,  referring  to  the  death 
of  Robert  S.  Prichard,  said:  "Of  cultivated  intellect, 
enthusiastic  nature,  and  devoted  piety,  he  excited  high 
hopes  of  future  usefulness." 


JACKSON  JEFFERSON   OBENCHAIN 

Jackson  Jefferson  Obenchain  was  born,  March  4. 
1818,  in  Botetourt  County,  Virginia,  where  the  larger 
part  of  his  Hfe  was  spent.  On  January  9,  1840,  he  was 
married  to  Miss  Charlotte  Roland  Rocke.  He  was  or- 
dained as  a  minister  of  the  gospel  about  1856,  in  Roanoke 
County.  For  a  season  he  had  charge  of  a  small  church 
near  Blacksburg,  sometimes  holding  services  in  Craig 
County.  At  one  time  he  was  a  member  of  the  Fincastle 
Church,  and  then,  as  all  through  his  life,  he  was  an 
active  friend  of  temperance,  rearing  his  family  without 
the  use  of  wine  or  liquor.  For  some  years  he  worked  as 
a  colporter,  being  probably  at  that  time  the  only  one  en- 
gaged in  selling  Baptist  and  other  good  books  in  the 
southwestern  part  of  the  State.  His  books  came  to  him 
from  the  firm  of  Starke  and  Ryland,  Richmond.  One 
year,  in  340  days  of  labor,  he  made  1,006  visits,  deliv- 
ered sixty-seven  sermons  and  addresses,  and  sold 
$252.18  worth  of  Bibles,  Testaments,  and  religious 
books.  His  field  of  labor  at  this  time  extended  as  far 
east  as  Botetourt  and  Bedford.  Two  of  his  sons  at- 
tended the  Alleghany  College,  at  the  Blue  Sulphur 
Springs,  but  afterwards  died.  One  daughter  survives 
him.  He  died  December  3,  1862.  Who  can  estimate 
the  good  done  by  the  colporters  and  the  preachers  whose 
names  the  great  world  never  knows? 


26 


EDWARD  G.  SHIPP 

The  ravages  of  war  explain  in  part  the  brevity  of  this 
sketch.  As  is  well  known,  that  section  of  Piedmont  Vir- 
ginia which  is  embraced  in  the  counties  of  Orange,  Cul- 
peper  and  Louisa  was  the  scene  of  much  marching  and 
fighting  during  the  Civil  War.  The  home  of  Rev. 
Edward  G.  Shipp  was  stripped  by  the  Federal  Army 
"of  everything  in  it,"  even  the  family  Bible,  which  con- 
tained the  family  record,  not  being  spared.  He  was  born 
December  8,  1798,  and  spent  at  least  the  larger  part  of 
his  life  in  that  part  of  the  Old  Dominion  to  which  allu- 
sion has  been  made  already.  While  a  preacher,  accord- 
ing to  the  custom  that  largely  obtained  in  his  day,  in 
rural  Virginia,  he  was  also  a  farmer,  owning  a  farm 
first  in  what  is  now  Greene  County  and  later  one  in 
Madison.  At  this  second  place  he  lived  the  latter  part 
of  his  life  and  here  he  died  in  1862.  Besides  his  farm 
he  conducted,  for  a  season,  a  boarding-school  in  which 
he  taught.  He  was  pastor  at  different  times  of  churches 
in  Madison,  Greene,  Orange,  Culpeper,  and  Louisa 
counties.  The  names  of  all  the  churches  he  served  are 
not  now  known,  but  in  1855  he  was  ministering  to  Good 
Hope,  Madison  County,  and  Blue  Run,  Orange  County, 
in  the  Shiloh  Association,  and  to  Antioch,  Orange 
County,  in  the  Goshen  Association.  His  death,  which 
took  place  April  11,  1863,  was  sudden.  While  he  was 
dressing  himself  one  morning  his  summons  came.  He 
was  buried  beside  his  wife.  His  son,  Mr.  John  G.  Shipp, 
is  living  at  present  at  Barboursville,  Va. 


27 


EDWARD  BAPTIST 

One  of  the  most  useful  and  distinguished  of  Virginia 
Baptist  ministers  was  Edward  Baptist,  of  the  County  of 
Mecklenburg.  He  was  born  in  1790  and  died  in 
Alabama  in  his  seventy-third  year.  His  father  was 
Glanville  Baptist,  an  intelligent  and  successful  merchant, 
greatly  respected  in  his  community.  His  mother  was 
Margaret  Langston. 

Edward  Baptist  was  trained  by  his  father  not  only  in 
letters  but  in  business.  At  the  death  of  his  parent, 
young  Baptist  entered  Hampden-Sidney  College  and 
graduated  in  1813. 

His  religious  impressions  began  as  early  as  his  eighth 
year.  His  father  made  no  profession  of  religion,  but  his 
mother  was  a  Presbyterian  and  carefully  looked  after 
her  son's  moral  and  religious  training.  She  had  the 
pleasure  of  seeing  her  son  unite  with  the  Presbyterian 
Church.  Subsequently  he  became  troubled  upon  the  sub- 
ject of  baptism  and  records  in  his  diary  that  "upon  con- 
viction of  duty"  he  was  baptized  by  a  Baptist  minister, 
Elder  Richard  Dabbs.  In  pathetic  language  he  describes 
the  trials  to  which  he  was  subjected  by  this  change.  His 
family  being  opposed  to  the  step  manifested  their  op- 
position in  a  very  decided  fashion.  The  young  man  was 
not  moved,  however,  and  steadfastly  held  on  his  way. 

Previous  to  his  baptism,  while  he  was  at  college,  his 
mind  was  turned  to  the  ministry  in  the  Presbyterian 
Church.  His  union  with  the  Baptists  confirmed  his  de- 
sire to  preach  and  he  returned  to  Hampden-Sidney 
College  and  took  a  course  in  Theology  under  Dr.  Moses 
Hoge,  the  President.  He  was  ordained  to  the  ministry 
by  a  Presbytery  consisting  of  Richard  Dabbs,  Abner 
Watkins,  and  James  Robertson. 

28 


EDWARD  BAPTIST  29 

Mr.  Baptist's  long  and  useful  career  as  a  man  and  a 
minister  divides  itself  into  two  parts.  This  was  due  to 
the  fact  that  the  latter  half  of  his  life  was  spent  in  the 
State  of  Alabama,  where  he  removed  in  the  year  1835. 
What  induced  him  to  make  this  change  in  his  residence 
is  not  definitely  known.  It  did  not  arise  from  any 
failure  of  his  work  in  Virginia.  His  career  in  his  native 
State,  lasting  twenty  years,  seemed  to  have  been  popular 
and  prosperous.  He  was  admired  and  beloved  and  left 
a  lasting  impression  upon  the  work  of  his  denomination. 
It  seems  most  probable  that  the  consideration  of  health 
for  himself  and  family  prompted  the  change  to  a  more 
southern  climate.  To  do  justice  to  his  life  work  con- 
sideration should  be  given  to  his  career  in  both  states. 

In  Virginia 

Mr.  Baptist  was  unusually  well  equipped  by  a  well- 
rounded  education  for  the  pastoral  office.  After  his 
marriage  to  Miss  Eliza  J.  C.  Eggleston  he  settled  in 
Powhatan  County,  where  he  lived  twenty  years,  actively 
engaged  as  pastor,  evangelist,  and  denominational  leader. 

The  churches  he  served  were  Mt.  Tabor  and  others  in 
the  Middle  District  Association.  He  tells  that  he  labored 
ten  years  before  any  notable  fruitage  rewarded  his 
ministry.  His  faith  was  severely  tried  by  a  seeming  lack 
of  success,  but,  believing  that  God  had  placed  him  on 
that  difficult  field,  he  held  fast  to  his  conviction  of  duty 
and  refused  tempting  offers  elsewhere.  In  the  mean- 
while he  was  growing  in  power  as  a  student,  a  preacher, 
and  in  social  and  religious  influence. 

At  length  the  blessing  came.  His  churches  experi- 
enced notable  revivals.  He  baptized  more  than  two 
hundred  people  in  the  two  churches  he  was  serving  as 
pastor.  The  revival  spread  and  under  its  influence  adja- 
cent churches  received  more  than  five  hundred  members. 


30  VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

Contemporaneous  history  gives  this  account  of  that  not- 
able work :  "A  general  revival  began  in  the  upper  part 
of  Powhatan  County  (which  was  his  field)  and  moved 
southeastward  slowly  but  in  awful  grandeur,  men  of  all 
ages  and  character  receiving  the  Lord  most  High  in  His 
terrible  majesty."  This  work  attracted  wide  attention. 
Accompanied  by  Rev.  James  Fife,  he  went  out  into  the 
surrounding  country,  greatly  stirring  the  churches  and 
calling  them  to  duty. 

Brother  pastors  visited  the  scene  of  the  unusual  re- 
vival, and  more  distant  churches  caught  the  spirit  and 
were  greatly  blessed.  Among  the  incidents  recited  was 
this :  Rev.  John  Kerr,  pastor  of  the  First  Baptist  Church 
in  Richmond,  upon  personal  observation  of  this  great 
work,  invited  Mr.  Baptist  to  visit  his  people.  From  a 
creditable  report  made  at  the  time  we  learn  that  "between 
six  and  eight  hundred  people  joined  the  First  Baptist 
Church,  and  other  churches  were  greatly  revived  and 
blessed  with  many  additions.  For  the  first  time, 
probably,  sunrise  prayer-meetings  were  held  and  attended 
by  large  audiences,  and  the  preaching  services  were 
crowded  to  overflowing  day  and  night." 

The  Religious  Herald  of  that  day  said  that  "The  vast 
amount  of  good  done  and  the  number  of  souls  con- 
verted during  these  ministerial  tours  of  Baptist  and  Fife 
can  only  be  revealed  in  eternity.  Hundreds  and  hundreds 
professed  faith  in  Christ."  It  was  estimated  that  fifteen 
hundred  persons  professed  faith  in  Christ  before  this 
important  work  ceased. 

But  not  only  was  Mr.  Baptist  successful  in  the 
pastorate  and  in  evangelical  work ;  he  took  active  part 
in  the  controversial  side  of  the  doctrinal  effort  Baptists 
were  making  in  Virginia  at  the  time.  He  had  strong, 
clear,  logical,  and  scriptural  opinions  and  discussed  with 
unusual  power  the  subjects  of  Baptism,  the  Lord's 
Supper  and  other  kindred  subjects.     When  the  Camp- 


EDWARD  BAPTIST  31 

bellite  controversy  arose  the  Baptist  side  found  in  him  a 
noble  champion,  and  Mr.  Campbell  acknowledged  that 
Mr.  Baptist  had  "put  his  back  to  the  wall,"  but  had  done 
it  in  a  very  fraternal  spirit. 

Mr.  Baptist  himself  writes:  "About  this  time,  Mr. 
Alexander  Campbell,  a  Baptist  minister  in  Northwestern 
Virginia,  had  acquired  considerable  celebrity  as  a  public 
declaimer  and  debater  on  religious  subjects.  It  was  soon 
discovered  on  the  full  development  of  his  religious  senti- 
ments that  they  were  radically  erroneous.  They  were 
the  sentiments  of  Landeman  revived  and  remodeled,  but 
I  can  not  say  improved ;  they  were  rather  deteriorated. 
After  these  sentiments  had  been  exploded  and  their 
author  demolished  by  Andrew  Fuller,  they  were  reviewed 
and  thrown  upon  the  religious  world  as  worthy  of 
notice  by  Alexander  Campbell.  His  criticism  of  the  com- 
mission which  identified  baptism  with  regeneration  or 
conversion  I  could  not  help  noticing  and  exposing  in  a 
piece  over  the  signature  of  'No  Theorist,'  which  Mr. 
Campbell  condescended  to  notice  in  his  Extra.  This 
Extra  I  briefly  examined  as  'Philander'  in  the  Herald. 
Dr.  John  H.  Rice,  a  distinguished  Presbyterian  divine 
of  Virginia,  had  published  a  treatise  on  the  subject  of 
baptism,  entitled  'The  Pamphleteer'  which,  although  a 
feeble  effort,  had  acquired  a  factitious  importance  from 
its  paternity.  It  passed  unnoticed  for  ten  years,  until  its 
advocates  began  to  represent  it  as  unanswerable.  A 
reply  was  published  over  the  signature  of  'Wickliffe'  in 
the  Herald  by  me,  consisting  of  thirty  letters,  twenty- 
nine  of  which  were  republished.  Several  other  pieces 
on  various  subjects  were  also  published  over  'Philander' 
and  my  own  name." 

Mr.  Baptist  also  took  a  deep  interest  in  missions,  edu- 
cation, and  temperance.  He  founded  missionary 
societies  and  temperance  organizations  in  his  own 
churches,  and  his  eloquent  tongue  was  heard   far  and 


32  VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

wide  in  advocacy  of  these  two  movements.  Abundant 
proof  exists  that  he  suggested  the  formation  of  the 
Baptist  General  Association  and  the  Virginia  Baptist 
Education  Society,  writing  the  constitutions  of  these 
great  agencies  and  upholding  them  with  conspicuous  elo- 
quence and  power.  In  these  movements  he  exhibited 
the  vision  of  a  seer,  and  deserves  the  homage  of  Vir- 
ginia Baptists  for  first  planting  the  seeds  of  the  two 
strongest  institutions  which  exist  among  us  at  this  day. 
The  following  is  the  history  of  the  origin  of  these  two 
great  movements  from  his  own  pen :  "Without  wishing 
to  arrogate,  but  simply  to  state  historical  facts,  I  was 
instrumental  under  Heaven  in  originating  the  General 
Association  of  Baptists  in  Virginia.  Brother  James 
Fife  and  myself  had  buried  at  Charlottesville,  Va.,  when 
it  died  a  natural  death,  the  old  General  Meeting  of  Cor- 
respondence, and  I  suggested  to  him  the  propriety  of 
forming  such  a  meeting  as  the  General  Association ;  he 
approved,  we  suggested  to  a  third  minister,  who  also 
approved.  It  was  accordingly  advertised,  and  the  meet- 
ing held  in  the  Cit}^  of  Richmond,  June,  1823,  at  which 
time  and  place  attended  several  ministers,  among  them 
our  highly  esteemed  Bro.  Robert  B.  Semple,  who  was 
always  ready  to  every  good  work.  By  appointment,  I 
drafted  the  constitution  of  that  body,  which  has  been 
gradually  increasing  in  popularity  and  usefulness  up  to 
the  present  time.  Another  important  institution  I  sug- 
gested and  contributed  my  humble  moiety  of  support  to 
was  'The  Virginia  Baptist  Educational  Society  and  Semi- 
nary.' At  their  first  meeting  I  was  called  upon  by  the 
body  to  undertake  the  instruction  of  the  young  brethren 
in  the  ministry,  who  might  be  received.  On  account  of 
a  very  feeble  state  of  health,  I  could  not  consent  to  be- 
come their  regular  and  permanent  instructor,  but  would 
cheerfully  contribute  what  health  would  permit  to  so 
important   an  object.      Accordingly   I    administered    in- 


EDWARD  BAPTIST  S3 

struction  to  them  at  my  residence,  "Diinlora,"  in  Pow- 
hatan County   for  near  two  years,   during  which  their 
studies  were  greatly  interrupted,  but  it  was  by  the  very 
finger  of  God.     He  seemed  to  smile  on  this  institution 
in  its  origin  and  bless  it  in  its  infancy.     During  the  first 
spring  and  summer,  there  commenced  in  the  vicinity  and 
spread  into  the  surrounding  country  a  glorious  revival 
of  religion  through  the  instrumentality  of  their  labors, 
and  Ave  could  do  little  else  than  preach  to  perishing  sin- 
ners.     Many  were   added   to   the   churches   during  this 
season  of  refreshment  ^rom  the  presence  of  the  Lord. 
This  revival  had  also  a  secondary  effect  that  was  highly 
important.     It  made  the  more  contracted  brethren  look 
upon  the   institution   with   more  complacency,   and   cor- 
rected some  erroneous  sentiments  in  relation  to  it.     They 
seemed  now  more  disposed  to  view  it  not  as  a  ministerial 
factory,   where    we  were   manufacturing    preachers   by 
education,  but  as  in  truth  it  was  a  school  for  the  improve- 
ment of  those  gifts  and  talents  which  God  Himself  had 
bestowed,   for  He  had  stamped  His  own  divine  appro- 
bation upon  their  incipient  labors,  which  was  worth  more 
than  a  thousand  human  arguments.     In  about  two  years 
a  place  was    purchased,  and  the    seminary  located  and 
regularly  organized  near  Richmond,  where  my  connec- 
tion with  it  as  instructor  terminated." 

In  Alabama 

Voluntarily  relinquishing  the  great  hold  that  he  natur- 
ally had  upon  Virginia  our  brother,  in  1835,  moved  to 
Alabama,  locating  in  Marengo  County.  He  became 
pastor  of  country  churches  and  took  up  with  them  the 
same  lines  of  work  he  had  pursued  in  Virginia.  Mis- 
sions, education,  and  temperance  received  his  distin- 
guished support. 


34  VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

His  daughter  says :  "He  was  a  trustee  of  the  Univer- 
sity of  Alabama.  When  Howard  College  was  founded 
he  delivered  the  opening  address,  and  was  called  to  the 
Presidency  of  the  institution.  He  declined  this  honor, 
however,  as  he  did  calls  to  churches  in  Mobile, 
Montgomery,  Tuscaloosa,  and  other  cities,  always  pre- 
ferring the  country  pastorates." 

On  one  occasion  when  called  to  a  city  pastorate  he 
made  a  reply  which  does  credit  to  his  philanthropic  senti- 
ments and  to  his  Christian  principles.  He  had  a  large 
number  of  slaves  which  he  took  with  him  from  Virginia 
to  Alabama.  He  felt  responsible  for  them  and  was 
greatly  interested  in  their  welfare.  He  acknowledged 
his  obligation  to  provide  for  and  protect  them,  and  felt 
that  it  would  be  a  serious  reflection  on  his  humanity  to 
give  these  people  into  the  hands  of  a  manager  who  would 
not  probably  share  his  feelings  in  regard  to  them. 

The  death  of  this  great  and  good  man  occurred  in 
1863  in  his  seventy-third  year  and  in  the  forty-eighth  of 
his  ministry. 

The  eminence  of  Mr.  Baptist's  character  and  the 
events  of  his  life  were  so  conspicuously  important  that 
it  can  not  be  inappropriate  to  follow  this  necessarily 
brief  review  by  quoting  the  testimony  of  others. 

He  is  described  as  a  man  of  attractive  personal  ap- 
pearance, modest,  popular  and  beloved,  and  as  gifted  in 
conversation  as  he  was  in  the  sacred  desk.  The  Rev. 
Dr.  Tyree  said  in  the  Religious  Herald:  "Edward 
Baptist  was  regarded  as  the  most  eloquent  Baptist 
preacher  in  Virginia."  Honorable  Thomas  Miller,  a  dis- 
tinguished layman  of  Powhatan  County,  wrote  of  him 
as  a  man  of  great  mental  and  oratorical  power.  Honor- 
able A.  P.  Bagby,  once  Governor  of  Florida  and  United 
States  Minister  to  Russia,  declared  that  he  had  heard  at 
the  bar,  on  the  Hustings,  and  in  the  pulpit  the  most  gifted 
men  in  America  and  Europe,  but  he  never  heard  a  man 


EDWARD  BAPTIST  35 

who  surpassed  Edward  Baptist  in  eloquence.  Honor- 
able William  Archer  Cocke,  of  Sanford,  Fla.,  wrote  to 
his  daughter,  Mrs.  Gay,  after  Mr.  Baptist's  death :  'T 
was  pleased  to  hear  that  the  ministry  intend  taking  steps 
to  preserve  your  father's  name  as  one  of  the  very  first 
in  talent,  piety,  and  learning  that  adorned  the  pulpit  of 
the  Baptist  Church.  I  was  accustomed  to  hear  him  in 
Virginia  and  remember  that  he  always  attracted  the  most 
cultivated  of  the  neighborhood.  He  was  a  man  of  strik- 
ing personal  appearance  and  was  regarded  as  the  most 
learned  preacher  of  his  day.  His  learning,  talent,  and 
Christian  virtues  not  only  made  him  popular  but  uni- 
versally beloved  by  the  Christians  of  the  community  and 
throughout  Virginia  wherever  he  was  known." 

Rev.  Dr.  Thomas  W.  Sydnor :  "For  years  he  labored 
and  spoke  in  the  General  Association  of  Virginia  in  be- 
half of  ministerial  education  until  at  last  that  body 
adopted  a  unanimous  vote  requesting  him  to  take  charge 
of  and  instruct  a  number  of  young  men,  and  pledging 
the  churches  to  raise  the  money  to  defray  their  ex- 
penses. He  replied  that  they  might  have  to  pay  five  or 
six  dollars  each  month  for  board,  washing,  etc.,  to  the 
lady  with  whom  he  lived,  but  for  his  services  he  neither 
charged  nor  w^ould  receive  a  cent.  He  returned  home, 
built  at  his  own  expense  a  neat  frame  academy  with 
three  or  four  rooms,  and  furnished  it  comfortably  for 
young  men,  and  advertised  in  the  Herald  that  he  was 
ready.  On  the  8th  of  June,  1830,  'very  early  in  the 
morning,'  5  o'clock,  a  number  of  devoted  men,  Edward 
Baptist  among  them,  met  in  the  Second  Baptist  Church, 
Richmond,  where  eight  years  before  the  General  Asso- 
ciation had  been  organized,  and  was  then  holding  its 
annual  session,  and  formed  the  Virginia  Baptist  Educa- 
tion Society.  They  received  fourteen  approved  young 
men  under  their  patronage,  placing  nine  of  them  with 
Elder  Baptist  in  Powhatan,  and  four  with  Elder  Eli  Ball 


36  VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

in  Henrico.  Altogether  Mr.  Baptist  had  about  twenty 
theological  students  under  his  charge,  though  never  so 
many  at  any  one  time.  I  recall  the  names  of  the  follow- 
ing who  were  favored  with  his  instruction :  Richard 
Herndon.  Joseph  S.  Walthall.  Stephen  McClennv, 
William  Allgood.  J.  P.  Turner.  J.  D.  McAllister,  A.  P. 
Repiton,  and  C.  F.  Burnley.  Of  these  young  men  Mr. 
Baptist  regarded  Burnley  as  having  the  brightest  in- 
tellect, and  McAllister  as  the  most  gifted  in  public 
speech. 

''This  school  of  the  prophets  in  Powhatan  led  to  the 
establishment  in  1832  of  the  Virginia  Baptist  Seminary, 
now  Richmond  College.  Mr.  Baptist  was  invited  to  pre- 
side over  it,  but  ill  health  compelled  him  to  decline,  and 
Robert  Ryland  was  chosen  to  that  important  position." 

From  a  writer  (L.  S.  F. )  in  a  sketch  of  his  life  we 
quote:  "With  James  Fife  and  perhaps  a  few  others,  he 
originated  the  present  General  Association  of  Virginia, 
in  the  year  1823.  He  was  appointed  by  this  body  to 
draft  its  constitution,  which  duty  he  performed  with  his 
usual  ability. 

"He  was  also  the  originator  and  father  of  the  \^ir- 
ginia  Baptist  Educational  Society  and  Seminary,  if  the 
writer  has  been  correctly  informed,  and  afterwards,  at 
the  request  of  the  Association,  instructed  a  number  of 
young  men,  who  were  studying  for  the  ministry,  at  his 
own  house.  At  the  expiration  of  two  years,  his  health 
having  failed,  he  was  compelled  to  resign  this  position. 
About  this  time  an  extensive  revival  of  religion  com- 
menced in  his  churches,  which  extended  its  influence  to 
the  City  of  Richmond,  and  indeed  over  a  large  portion 
of  the  State  of  Virginia.  He  and  Elder  James  Fife  went 
from  place  to  place  preaching  the  unsearchable  riches  of 
Christ,  and  warning  sinners  to  'Flee  from  the  wrath  to 
come.'  The  vast  amount  of  good  accomplished  and  the 
number    of    souls    converted,    during    these    ministerial 


EDWARD  BAPTIST  37 

tours,  can  only  be  made  known  when  the  secrets  of 
eternity  are  revealed.  Hundreds  and  hundreds  pro- 
fessed faith  in  Christ,  and  were  made  to  rejoice,  with 
joy  unspeakable  and  full  of  glory. 

"In  his  younger  days  and  before  his  health  had  failed 
him,  Elder  Baptist  had  but  few  equals  as  a  pulpit  orator. 
Sound  in  doctrine,  graceful  in  manner,  eloquent  in  lan- 
guage, with  a  mind  well  stored  with  literary  lore,  from 
which  he  could  draw  at  will,  and  with  a  yoice  as  sweet 
and  mellifluous  at  the  notes  of  a  flute,  he  swayed  an 
influence  over  his  congregation  that  at  times  seemed 
miraculous,  and  that  could  be  attained  by  but  few  men. 
The  most  useful  and  laborious  portions  of  his  life  as  a 
minister  were  spent  in  Virginia. 

"In  the  year  1835  he  moved  to  Alabama,  and  settled 
in  Marengo  County,  where  he  was  still  at  the  time  of  his 
demise.  In  this,  his  adopted  State,  he  organized  several 
churches.  The  writer  of  this  imperfect  tribute  is  now, 
and  has  been,  pastor  of  one  of  these  churches  for  the 
past  sixteen  years.  Elder  Baptist  labored  among  these 
churches  for  a  number  of  years,  and  until  his  bodily 
affliction  became  so  great  that  he  was  compelled  to  desist 
from  preaching.  His  preaching  was  always  gratuitous. 
He  never  demanded  or  received  a  salary  from  any  church 
during  his  whole  ministry.  This,  however,  he  frequently 
regretted,  in  the  latter  part  of  his  life,  as  he  was  satisfied 
by  such  a  coiirse  he  had  neither  done  justice  to  the 
churches  themselves,  nor  to  the  rising  ministr}-.  He  was 
a  warm  advocate  of  ministerial  support,  although  he 
never  claimed  it  for  himself.  Elder  Baptist  had  frequent 
calls  from  large  and  extensive  city  churches,  in  different 
states,  but  declined  them  all,  seeming  disposed  to  shrink 
from  anything  like  notoriety.  He  always  preferred  to 
labor  among  country  churches.  One  reason  assigned  by 
him,  however,  for  declining  the  frequent  calls  from  cities, 
was  the  conviction  that  city  life  would  not  suit  his  con- 


38  VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

stitution,  which  was  always  rather  dehcate.  In  past 
years  Elder  Baptist  wrote  extensively  for  religious 
periodicals,  published  in  different  states,  and  on  a  variety 
of  subjects.  As  a  writer  he  was  chaste,  argumentative, 
and  convincing.  In  addition  to  these  newspaper  articles, 
which  he  had  written  and  published,  he  has  written  and 
arranged  for  the  press  a  large  number  of  sermons.  Ar- 
rangements were  being  made  for  the  publication  of  a 
series  of  these  sermons,  when  the  present  unhappy  war 
broke  out.  It  might  be  well  for  some  publisher  to  pro- 
cure these  sermons,  and  publish  them  for  the  benefit  of 
the  churches  and  the  world  at  large.  That  there  is 
ability  displayed  in  them,  and  that  they  would  be  eagerly 
sought  after,  no  one  will  doubt  who  knows  the  author. 

"For  many  years  previous  to  his  death.  Elder  Baptist 
suffered  from  a  disease  of  the  throat,  or  bronchial  tubes, 
which  at  times  totally  unfitted  him  for  the  pulpit.  Natu- 
rally of  a  weak  and  delicate  constitution,  his  system 
gradually  gave  away,  until  he  became  almost  entirely  help- 
less. For  several  years  before  his  death  he  was  confined 
almost  exclusively  to  his  house,  not  being  able  to  get  oiit 
without  assistance.  Although  a  great  sufferer,  he  bore 
his  affliction  with  Christian  patience  and  forbearance. 
No  murmur  escaped  his  lips,  but,  on  the  contrary,  he  was 
cheerful  and  resigned,  constantly  looking  forward  with 
bright  anticipation  to  the  day  of  his  deliverance  from  the 
sorrows  and  trials  of  earth,  and  his  admittance  into  the 
paradise  of  God  on  high.  His  faith  in  Christ  remained 
firm  and  unshaken  to  the  last.  Even  during  his  last 
expiring  moments  of  life,  "Christ,  and  Him  crucified," 
was  his  theme,  his  stay,  and  support.  A  short  time  be- 
fore his  death  he  called  his  family  around  him,  and 
exhorted  them  to  patience  and  forbearance,  and  urged 
them  to  faithfulness  in  the  service  of  the  blessed  Master. 
He  told  them  that  he  should  soon  sit  down  with  the 
patriarchs,  apostles,  prophets,  and  his  departed  children 


EDWARD  BAPTIST  39 

at  the  supper  of  the  Lamb;  that  he  was  ready  to  depart 
any  moment,  whether  at  sunset,  at  midnight,  or  at  dawn 
of  day.  Having  hved  the  hfe  of  the  righteous,  his  last 
end  was  hke  his;  and  he  yielded  up  his  life  as  calmly 
and  placidly  as  an  infant  falls  to  sleep  on  its  mother's 
breast.  Thus  died  this  great  and  good  man  in  the 
seventy-third  year  of  his  age  and  forty-eighth  of  his 
ministry. 

"As  a  husband,  father,  and  master,  Elder  Baptist  was 
kind  and  indulgent.  As  a  neighbor  and  friend,  social, 
affable,  and  obliging  in  all  the  relations  of  life.  He  had 
the  happiness  to  live  to  see  all  of  his  children,  seven  in 
number,  professors  of  religion,  except  one.  His  oldest 
son,  E.  G.  Baptist,  is  a  minister  of  the  gospel,  and  is  at 
present  living  and  preaching  in  Virginia." 

A  correspondent  of  the  Southwestern  Baptist,  signed 
E.  B.  T.,  writes  of  him  as  follows :  "He  was,  for  a  good 
while,  an  active  pastor  in  Virginia,  at  the  same  time  tak- 
ing into  his  house  a  number  of  promising  young  ministers 
to  study  theology  with  him.  This  was  the  beginning  of 
the  theological  schools  in  the  South.  Many  students 
became  eminent  for  ability  and  usefulness. 

"My  first  knowledge  of  him  was  brought  about  by  the 
mention  of  his  name  as  to  preach  in  Tuscaloosa,  by  Dr. 
Alva  Woods,  at  the  breakfast  table  of  the  students  of 
the  University.  The  Doctor  remarked  that  he  was  one 
of  the  most  eminent  preachers  of  Virginia.  I  went  to 
hear  him  and  was  not  disappointed.  The  sermon  was 
one  of  sparkling,  rustling  eloquence.  This  was  in  1837, 
soon  after  the  settling  of  Mr.  Baptist  in  Marengo  County, 
Alabama,  with  the  object,  as  I  have  always  understood, 
of  finding  means  to  educate  his  children.  This  he  did 
effectually,  meanwhile  preaching  to  country  churches. 
He  trained  one  of  them,  Rev.  E.  G.  Baptist,  for  the 
ministry. 


40  VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

"I  saw  the  venerable  man  often,  as  a  trustee  of  the 
University,  and  on  his  annual  visits  to  the  State  Conven- 
tion. He  was  a  leading  man  in  both  bodies.  Gifted 
with  great  conversational  and  anecdotical  talents,  he 
was  a  most  delightful  companion. 

"He  published  a  sermon  on  'Ministerial  Education,' 
preached  before  the  Alabama  Convention,  soon  after 
coming  to  the  State,  of  great  excellence  and  classic  finish, 
besides  a  valuable  tract  or  two. 

"His  life  was  spotless,  his  end  peace." 

Edward  Baptist  was  the  product  of  two  centuries ;  the 
child  of  one  and  the  strong  man  of  the  other.  He  was 
at  once  eloquent  in  the  Scriptures  and  a  man  of  affairs 
— one  who  could  lead  men  captive  to  Christ,  and  then 
show  them  the  way  to  usefulness  in  the  vineyard  of  the 
Lord.  His  sensitive  spirit,  godly  life,  and  cultivated 
mind  won  the  friendship  of  men,  giving  them  confidence 
in  his  character.  His  practical  wisdom  enabled  him  to 
read  the  "signs  of  the  times,"  and  an  eloquent  tongue 
gave  effectiveness  to  his  teachings.  He  proved  his  faith 
by  his  works  and  took  high  rank  as  a  leader  in  his 
denomination.  To  give  him  proper  honor  among  his 
brethren  the  Virginia  Baptists  must  inscribe  his  name 
high  in  the  scroll  of  fame. 

More  than  any  other  man  of  his  time  he  must  be 
known  as  The  Founder  of  the  Baptist  General  Associa- 
tion of  Virginia  and  of  Richmond  College. 

C.  H.  Ryland. 


CUMBERLAND  GEORGE 

The  larger  part  of  the  details  that  we  have  concerning 
the  life  of  Cumberland  George  is  what  is  found,  written 
by  his  own  pen,  on  the  fly  leaves  of  some  of  the  books 
that  were  in  his  library.  The  memory  of  him  and  his 
work  lingers  in  that  section  of  the  State  where  he 
labored.  "Through  the  counties  of  Fauquier,  Stafford, 
Culpeper,  Rappahannock,  and  Orange  there  are  living 
to-day  many  who  remember  him — many  wdiom  he 
baptized,  married,  and  visited.  He  was  doubtless  the 
pride  of  the  Piedmont  Baptists,  and  as  a  pulpit  orator 
stood  at  the  front  of  the  denomination";  these  words 
were  penned  some  twenty-five  years  after  his  death. 
From  more  than  one  source  comes  testimony  to  the  fact 
that  he  was  of  commanding  presence,  that  he  was  an 
orator  of  no  low  rank,  and  that  especially  upon  set  occa- 
sions he  was  at  his  best  as  a  preacher.  He  had  a  fine 
physique  and  his  voice  was  like  a  trumpet. 

The  following  extracts  copied  from  his  various  books 
were  published  some  years  ago  in  the  Religions  Herald. 
These  lines  are  from  a  blank  page  of  the  first  volume  of 
Gill's  Commentary :  "Cumberland  George,  the  son  of 
Joseph  and  Lydia  George,  was  born  near  Elk  Run  Church 
on  the  15th  day  of  April,  1797.  I  humbly  hope  the  great 
God  revealed  Jesus  Christ  to  me  as  the  Saviour  of 
sinners  in  the  eighteenth  year  of  my  age.  In  my  twenty- 
first  year  I  was  called  to  ordination  to  the  work  of  the 
gospel  ministry  by  the  Baptist  Church  at  Fredericks- 
burg, and  on  the  12th  day  of  March,  1819,  I  was 
solemnly  set  apart  to  the  important  work  by  the  imposi- 
tion of  the  hands  of  the  Presbytery  consisting  of  Elders 
Semple,  Bryce,  Henly,  and  James.  To  assist  me  in  the 
discharge  of  my  important  duties  I  have  purchased  this 

41 


42  VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

work,  and  may  God  make  it  useful  to  me;  may  I  be  able 
to  receive  his  exposition  (Gill's)  as  the  exposition  of  a 
man  and  look  higher  for  such  blessings  as  will  make  me 
useful  to  the  church  of  God  and  to  his  people."  On  the 
fly  leaf  of  the  second  volume  of  this  same  work  are  these 
words :  "Forever  blessed  be  the  name  of  the  Lord  for 
His  goodness  and  mercy  to  me.  Preached  Saturday  from 
Acts  20  :24 ;  a  solemn,  melting  time.  My  soul  was  full 
and  my  tongue  at  liberty.  Sometimes  could  hardly  give 
utterance  to  my  thought  for  weeping.  O,  my  God,  own 
the  poor  labors  of  thy  unworthy  servant,  and  forgive, 
for  Jesus'  sake,  his  many  imperfections.  Monthly  meet- 
ing at  Jeffersonton,  May,  1838."  As  the  extract  shows 
the  following  is  from  a  notebook :  "This  little  book  I 
bought  some  time  since  for  the  purpose  of  noting  down 
thoughts  that  may  come  to  me  in  my  hours  of  medita- 
tion. In  preaching  I  do  not  depend  upon  notes  but  upon 
the  enlightening  influences  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  While 
conscious  of  this  I  would  endeavor  to  employ  all  my 
powers  to  have  a  correct  understanding  of  God's  word 
that  I  may  not  be  ashamed.  Gracious  God,  whenever 
I  attempt  the  composition  of  a  sermon  give  me  a  heart 
to  look  to  Thee;  grant  me  the  enlightening  influence  of 
Thy  Spirit.  May  I  never  forget  the  sovereignty  of  God, 
the  atonement  of  Christ,  the  work  of  the  Spirit,  the  obli- 
gations of  all  men  to  love  God,  and  that  salvation  is  of 
the  Lord !  In  my  ministrations  may  I  be  ever  endued 
with  power  from  on  high,  that,  with  all  boldness  and 
enlargeness  of  heart  and  of  views,  I  may  be  enabled 
fluently  to  declare  the  whole  counsel  of  God.  Let  me 
never  dishonor  Thee  nor  the  ministerial  office  in  heart 
or  life.  But  having  borne  faithful  testimony  to  the 
Truth,  let  me  be  gathered  to  my  fathers  in  peace,  and 
unto  the  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Spirit,  ever  one  eternal 
God,  be  glory  forever  and  ever.  Amen."  In  yet  another 
notebook  are  these  interesting  facts  about  his  life  and 


CUMBERLAND  GEORGE  43 

work :  "I  have  the  notes  of  but  few  of  my  sermons.  My 
numerous  engagements  have  prevented  me  from  copying 
into  this  book  many  sketches  which  I  might  have  saved. 
I  have  been  preaching  ever  since  1817.  From  1819,  I  have 
been  actively  employed  in  the  work  in  itinerancy  and 
in  connection  with  the  several  churches  of  my  pastorate. 
I  have  preached  since  1819  over  four  thousand  sermons. 
I  am  sorry  I  did  not  here  enter  a  sketch  of  every  sermon 
I  ever  preached.  They  might  be  useful  to  me  now  in  a 
variety  of  ways;  they  might  at  least  tend  to  humble  me 
and  make  me  more  studious  and  prayerful.  God  show 
mercy  to  me  a  sinner!    Culpeper,  1845." 

Even  though  we  do  not  know  many  facts  about  this 
eloquent  preacher,  still,  thanks  to  these  foregoing  ex- 
tracts, we  do  get  quite  a  picture  of  him.  We  do  know 
that  on  March  16,  1819,  just  four  days  after  his  ordi- 
nation, he  was  married  by  Rev.  W.  James,  in  Stafford 
County,  to  Miss  Elizabeth  C.  Garnett,  and  that  in  1835 
he  preached  to  the  General  Association  of  Virginia  in 
the  City  of  Richmond  from  words  found  in  Mark  11  :22, 
and  that  he  was  pastor  of  Mount  Pony  (now  Culpeper 
Court-house)  Church.  He  was  evidently  in  the  habit 
of  attending  the  general  gatherings  of  the  Baptists  in  the 
State  and  of  bearing  an  important  part  in  these  meet- 
ings. The  minutes  show  that  at  the  Baptist  General  As- 
sociation in  Charlottesville  in  May,  1855,  he  Avas  one  of 
the  vice-presidents,  and  that  at  the  meeting  the  next 
year  in  Lynchburg  he  was  again  honored  with  this  office. 
In  1855  he  was,  at  Charlottesville,  chairman  of  a  mass 
meeting  in  the  interests  of  colportage,  the  minutes  of 
which  meeting  became  a  part  of  the  record  of  the  asso- 
ciation. In  1852  he  was  first  vice-president  of  the  Vir- 
ginia Baptist  Foreign  Mission  Society,  which  held  its 
session  in  Norfolk  in  June,  being  one  of  the  meetings 
which  went  to  constitute  the  "Virginia  Baptist  Anniver- 
saries." Of  this  same  society  in  1846  he  had  been  third 
vice-president. 


44  VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

It  is  interesting  to  remember  that  Cumberland  George 
baptized  the  youth  who  was  afterwards  that  prince  of 
preachers,  John  A.  Broadus.  In  May,  1843,  at  Mount 
Pony  Church  in  a  protracted  meeting,  two  young  men 
were  converted  and  baptized  the  same  day  in  Mountain 
Run.  These  two  young  men  were  James  G.  Field  and 
John  A.  Broadus,  and  the  administrator  Cumberland 
George.  On  Monday,  August  12,  1850,  John  A.  Broadus 
was  ordained  to  the  Gospel  ministry  and  Cumberland 
George  assisted  in  the  exercises. 

"In  the  summer  of  1863,  while  the  desolation  of  war 
rested  upon  our  fair  State,  while  the  excitement  of  strife 
and  the  noise  of  battle  filled  the  land,"  Cumberland 
George  was  taken  to  his  heavenly  home. 


JEHU  LEWIS  SHUCK 

The  same  year  that  saw  Adoniram  Judson,  the  first 
Amer  cr:,s'sionary.  go  for*  to  fore.gn  ^ores    saw 
also  the  birth  of  Jehu  Lewis  Shuck   who  was  to  be  the 
first  American  Baptist  missionary  to  Chma.     He  was 
bom  in  Alexandria,  Va.,  September  4    1812,  when  our 
second  war  with  Great  Britain  was  gomg  on,  and  per- 
haps news  oT  the  battle  between  the  Guernerc  and  the 
Cms^Zln.  which  took  place  on  August  19th   had  no 
much  more    han  reached  the  ancient  V.rgmia  town.     If 
r    tory  of  his  boyhood  and  youth  .s  not  general  y 
*nown   L  n,cident  li  his  early  -f'-^  ha^been      Id 
far  and  wide.     Judson  m  India  and  Luthei   Kice  teimi^ 
he  t  or)  of  the  heathen  far  and  wide  in  this  land   had 
quickened  the  missionary  spirit  among  the  Aurches^   A 

Missionary  meeting  was  held  at  "h.ch J°""g  ^^^  ,vh  n 
was  nresent      A  contribution  was  called  for  and  wlien 

e  serv  ce  was  over  the  gifts  of  the  people  were  being 
counted     There  were  bank  notes,  silver  and  even  gold. 
There  was  a  card  that  had  been  put  in  by  a  young  man 
at  the  back  of  the  church.     It  had  on  it  this  one  word^ 
"Mvself "     "He  could  not  give  silver  or  gold  to  the 
mSn  cause  so  he  gave  himself."     On  Se^ember     a 
IR^";   he  was  set  apart  as  a  missionary  to  China,  in  tne 
FifstBapS  Church,  Richmond,  Va.,  and  on  September 
^d  he  s'a ikd  on  the  Louvre  under  appointment  of  Ae 
Rnston  Board  of  the  Trienraal  Convention.    He  did  not 
eo  Itone    for  on  September  8th  he  had  been  united  in 
marriage  with  Miss  Henrietta  Hall,  of  Lancaster  County, 
vfrrinfa  I  daughter  of  Rev.  Addison  Hall.     The  mar- 
riag?  ceremony  was  performed  by  Rev.  Henry  Keeling 

n  one  year  from  the  time  of  their  departure  from  their 
native  land  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Shuck  reached  Macao,  China. 


45 


46  VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

In  his  work  in  China,  after  leaving  Macao,  he  Hved 
successively  in  Hong  Kong,  Canton,  and  Shanghai. 
While  in  Hong  Kong  his  wife,  whose  life  has  been 
written  by  Rev.  Dr.  J.  B.  Jeter,  departed  this  life.  In 
1846,  Mr.  Shuck  visited  this  country,  bringing  with  him 
a  Chinese  convert,  Yong  Seen  Sang.  They  were  present 
in  Richmond  at  the  Southern  Baptist  Convention  just 
starting  on  its  career,  and  traveled  extensively,  making 
appeals  for  a  church  building  in  China.  They  were 
cordially  received,  and  for  long,  long  years  afterwards 
Yong  Seen  Sang  was  distinctly  remembered,  and  repre- 
sentatives of  the  Foreign  Board  were  often  asked  ques- 
tions as  to  his  welfare.  During  this  visit  to  America, 
when  Mr.  Shuck  brought  home  his  children,  Mecha,  their 
Chinese  nurse,  for  whom  Mrs.  Shuck  had  often  prayed, 
was  baptized,  December  4,  1846,  by  Dr.  Jeter,  who, 
fifteen  years  before,  had  baptized  her  lamented  mistress. 
In  October,  1846,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Lizzie  Sexton, 
of  Alabama,  Rev.  M.  P.  Jewett  performing  the  cere- 
mony. Upon  his  return  to  China  Mr.  Shuck  went  to 
Shanghai,  where  the  rest  of  his  life  in  that  land  was 
spent.  While  in  Shanghai  he  erected  a  chapel  and  trans- 
lated ten  tracts.  Mr.  Shuck,  with  Messrs.  Yates,  Tobey, 
and  James,  were  assigned  to  this  city  to  begin  the  mission 
here.  Mr.  Shuck  arrived  on  November  26th.  Yong 
and  Min,  converts  at  Canton,  moved  to  Shanghai,  and 
November  6,  1847,  a  Baptist  Church  of  ten  members 
was  organized:  "Yates,  clerk;  Tobey  and  Yong, 
deacons ;  Shuck,  pastor."  Mr.  Shuck  soon  became 
familiar  with  the  dialect.  During  an  excursion  that  he 
and  Mr.  Pearcy  took  into  the  country  each  of  them  was 
presented  with  an  idol  which  had  been  worshipped  for 
many  years.  In  reference  to  an  out-station,  which  was 
established,  Mr.  Shuck  remarked :  "Let  the  brethren 
bear  in  mind  that  the  Foreign  Board  of  the  Southern 
Baptist  Convention  was  the  first   Protestant  Board   of 


JEHU  LEWIS  SHUCK  47 

Missions  in  the  world  who  ever  held  property  and  gained 
a  permanent  footing  in  the  interior  of  China."  On 
November  21st  his  second  wife  died.  On  July  4,  1853, 
his  connection  with  the  Foreign  Board  was  dissolved  and 
the  next  year  he  went  to  California  under  the  auspices 
of  the  Domestic  Mission  Board.  On  June  5,  1854,  he 
had  been  married  in  Charleston,  S.  C,  by  Rev.  J.  R. 
Kendrick  to  his  third  wife.  Miss  Anna  L.  Trotti.  Dur- 
ing his  seven  years  in  California  as  missionary  to  the 
Chinese  he  built  a  chapel  in  Sacramento,  organized  a 
church  of  sixteen  members,  and  edited  a  Baptist  news- 
paper. His  first  convert  in  California  was  Wong  Min, 
who  was  afterw^ards  for  years  a  successful  native 
preacher  in  Canton.  In  1861,  Mr.  Shuck  left  California 
and  located  at  Barnwell  Court-house,  S.  C,  being  pastor 
of  the  Blackville  and  Steel  Creek  churches.  Not  long 
before  his  death,  which  took  place  August  20,  1863,  he 
said  to  a  friend  at  his  bedside :  "Preaching  the  gospel 
has  been  the  joy  of  my  life." 


FRANCIS   MARION  BARKER 

While  statistics  show  that  ministers  of  the  gospel  live 
longer  than  any  other  class  of  men,  still  some  ministers 
die  in  the  very  prime  of  manhood.  This  was  the  case 
with  Francis  Marion  Barker.  He  was  born  February 
17,  1820,  and  his  death  occurred  October  14,  1863. 
His  parents  were  John  and  Polly  Brooke  Barker.  He 
is  thought  of,  by  many  who  never  saw  him  nor  heard 
him,  as  a  preacher  of  commanding  presence  and  burn- 
ing eloquence.  Dr.  William  E.  Hatcher,  in  describing 
a  sermon  preached  by  Mr.  Barker,  says :  "I  thoroughly 
believe  he  could  have  preached  to  ten  acres  of  people 
and  could  have  been  heard  by  all.  That  night  he 
preached  and  used  as  his  text :  'Choose  ye  this  day 
whom  ye  will  serve.'  I  heard  every  word  of  the  sermon 
and  trembled  as  I  heard." 

He  was  born  near  Porter's  Mountain  in  the  western 
part  of  Bedford  County,  and  here,  after  his  college  work 
was  over,  he  was  married,  on  May  20,  1846,  to  Miss 
Dematris  Ann  Noel,  and  ordained,  and  was  for  eight 
years  pastor  of  the  Liberty  Church.  In  his  nineteenth 
year  he  made  a  profession  of  religion  and  would 
probably  have  united  with  the  Methodists,  but  a  sermon 
by  Rev.  John  Goodall  led  him  to  become  a  Baptist.  He 
was  licensed  to  preach  and  entered  Richmond  College. 
From  here  he  went  to  Columbian  College,  where,  after 
"distinguishing  himself  for  his  piety,  gentlemanly  bear- 
ing, and  scholarship,"  he  graduated  in  1846.  After  his 
pastorate  at  Liberty,  having  also  supplied  for  a  year  or 
more  the  Lexington  and  Mount  Moriah  churches  in 
Amherst  County,  in  1854,  he  became  pastor  of  the  Lick- 
inghole,  Perkins,  and  Oakland  churches,  in  Goochland 
County.     After  four  years  in  this  field  he  became  pastor 

48 


FRANCIS  MARION  BARKER  49 

of  the  Franklin  Square  Baptist  Church,  Baltimore; 
here,  however,  he  remained  but  a  year,  because,  accord- 
ing to  Dr.  Tyree,  he  found  it  "a  small  and  difficult 
field."  He  now  returned  to  Virginia,  becoming  pastor 
of  the  Mount  Olivet  and  Hopeful  churches,  in  Hanover 
County,  where  he  remained  until  his  death.  His  end 
came  suddenly  as  the  result  of  an  attack  of  typhoid 
fever.  He  had  attended  the  Dover  Association  in 
September,  being  in  good  health.  Upon  the  fourth  Sun- 
day in  this  month  he  preached  what  proved  to  be  his 
last  sermon.  It  was  marked  by  "unwonted  powder  and 
pathos."  One  who  heard  the  sermon  afterwards  said: 
"If  he  had  known  that  this  was  his  last  sermon,  and 
that  his  end  was  at  hand,  he  could  not  have  been  more 
earnest  and  faithful." 

On  the   fifth    Sunday    in    November,    1863,    Rev.    C. 
Tyree  delivered   at   Hopeful   Church   a   funeral   sermon 
upon  the  life  and  character  of  Mr.  Barker.     This  sketch 
is  largely  based  on  this  address.     In  this   sermon   Dr. 
Tyree  said:    "His  understanding  was  of  a  high  order, 
active,  vigorous,  and  patient,  capable  of  exerting  itself 
with  success  on  almost  any  subject.     His  character  was 
singularly  transparent.      He  wore  no  disguises.     To   a 
rare  degree  he  was  what  he  seemed  to  be.     .     .     .     His 
piety  was  thorough  and  striking.     It  had  its  origin  in  an 
instantaneous,     glorious,     well-remembered     conversion. 
It  struck  through  and  entwined  itself  into  his  whole  soul, 
transforming  his  whole  life  and  character.     His  religion 
.     .     .    was  a  habit,  not  an  impulse.     ...     He  would 
have  been  an  earnest,  useful  Christian  had  he  never  been 
a   minister.     .     .     .     His   ministerial    character    should 
be  studied  by  young  preachers.     His  matter  of  preach- 
ing was  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus.     His  manner  had 
many  striking  excellencies  which  should  be  imitated,  and 
some  defects  which  should  be  avoided.     He  was,  in  the 
full  sense  of  the  word,  a  preacher  of  the  gospel.     There 


50  VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

are  many  Bible  truths  which  many  ministers  preach 
which  are  not  the  gospel.  Many  others  preach  even 
duties  of  the  gospel  without  savingly  preaching  the 
gospel  itself.  In  the  full  saving  sense,  Brother  Barker 
preached  the  gospel.  I  rarely  ever  heard  him  that  the 
cross  was  not  his  theme.  From  the  blood  and  shame  of 
Calvary  he  drew  his  pleas  to  induce  sinners  to  become 
Christians,  and  Christians  to  become  holy.  He  was  a 
scriptural  preacher.     .     .     .     He  was  a  natural  preacher. 

Brother  Barker  preached  not  only  with  his  own 
voice,  but  with  the  same  voice  with  which  he  conversed. 

The  effect  of  his  sermons  was  lessened  by  the 
continuous  loudness  of  his  voice.  He  was  an  earnest, 
affectionate  preacher.  .  .  .  Brother  Barker  was 
certainly  one  of  our  most  useful  ministers,  and  perhaps 
the  main  element  of  his  usefulness  was  his  affectionate 
earnestness.  He  was  a  successful  preacher.  He  was  an 
able,  judicious  advocate  of  our  denominational  peculi- 
arities. He  did  not  unwisely  introduce  them  into  every 
sermon,  but  when  there  was  a  'need  be,'  he,  with  singular 
ability,  tact,  and  kindness,  preached  Baptistic  views. 
While  in  his  native  county,  he  had  a  public  discussion 
with  a  Presbyterian  minister  on  the  mode  and  subjects 
of  baptism,  which  was  a  triumph  to  the  cause  of  truth, 
and  most  creditable  to  his  own  talents  and  scholarship. 

In  his  own  and  adjacent  churches  he  was  a  most 
successful  laborer  in  protracted  meetings.  ...  In 
fine  if  the  possession  of  a  clear  head  and  warm  heart,  if 
speaking  in  an  earnest,  vigorous,  unborrowed  style,  if 
speaking  the  truth  in  the  love  of  it,  constitute  one  an 
able,  eloquent,  efficient  preacher,  then  was  Brother 
Barker  an  able,  eloquent,  efficient  preacher." 

While  not  ungifted  with  his  pen,  he  left  no  published 
writings  save  a  little  volume  entitled  "The  Mountain 
Violet."  This  was,  in  expanded  form,  a  sennon  preached 
in  Baltimore  at  the  funeral  of  a  young  lady,  and  very 


FRANCIS  MARION  BARKER  51 

beautifully  set  forth  the  value  of  youthful  piety.  Rev. 
Dr.  C.  C.  Meador  says  that  Mr.  Barker  was  an  excellent 
sermonizer,  always  getting  his  discourse  from  his  text, 
and  describes  thus  one  of  his  sermons :  "On  one  occa- 
sion so  searching  and  pungent  was  his  sermon  that  a 
member  of  the  church,  who  had  been  for  many  years 
highly  esteemed  by  all  who  knew  him  for  his  religious 
deportment,  rose  in  the  congregation  and  confessed  in 
the  presence  of  many  witnesses  that  while  he  had  a  name 
to  live,  he  was  dead  in  religious  matters,  and,  crying 
aloud  to  God  for  mercy,  he  asked  the  preacher  and 
church  people  to  pray  for  him  that  he  might  be  made 
alive  in  Christ." 

Surely  one  of  the  mysteries,  which  we  can  not  solve  in 
this  life,  is  why  one  so  useful  as  F.  M.  Barker  should 
be  cut  off  in  the  prime  of  his  manhood  and  in  the  midst 
of  his  ministry.  He  left  nine  children,  three  girls  and 
six  boys. 


ARCHIBALD  A.  BALDWIN 

Archibald  A.  Baldwin  was  born  in  Prince  Edward 
County,  Virginia,  September  25,  1800.  He  was  con- 
verted October  10,  1824.  On  August  20,  1825,  he  was 
licensed  to  preach,  and  on  March  29,  1834,  was  ordained 
to  the  gospel  ministry.  In  1845,  he  commenced  to  labor 
in  the  Middle  District  Association.  On  October  4,  1845, 
a  church  was  constituted  in  Powhatan  County  and  given 
the  name  of  Liberty.  No  less  than  seven  Baptist 
churches  in  Virginia  to-day  bear  the  name  of  Liberty. 
Upon  the  organization  of  this  church,  Mr.  Bakhvin,  who 
with  B.  E.  Goode  had  constituted  the  Presbytery  on  this 
occasion,  became  its  pastor,  and  continued  to  hold  this 
office  until  September  30,  1854.  From  1852  to  1858  he 
was  pastor  of  the  Midlothian  African  Church,  a  church 
organized  in  1846,  with  six  white  and  fifty- four  colored 
members.  From  June,  1851,  to  the  end  of  1852  he  was 
pastor  of  the  Powhatan  Church,  which  was  constituted 
in  1771.  Another  old  church  in  the  same  general  sec- 
tion of  country.  Red  Lane,  had  Mr.  Baldwin  as  pastor 
from  June,  1855,  to  June,  1857.  It  is  interesting  to  see 
the  interest  felt  at  this  period  in  the  religious  welfare  of 
the  colored  people.  Nearly  all  the  churches  of  the 
Middle  District  Association  at  this  time  had  colored 
members.  For  example,  in  1855,  Powhatan  Church  had 
270  colored  members  and  Red  Lane  101.  At  the  meet- 
ing of  the  association  there  was  preaching  for  the  colored 
as  well  as  for  the  white  people,  and  the  minutes  show 
that  at  the  session  of  1850,  A.  A.  Baldwin  and  H. 
Crowder  were  the  preachers  to  the  colored  people. 

Mr.  Baldwin  had  a  large,  stout  frame  and  a  strong, 
clear  voice.  While  praying  or  preaching  at  times  he 
might   be   heard    a    long  distance.      He    was    gifted    in 

52 


ARCHIBALD  A.  BALDWIN  53 

prayer  and  was  a  good  singer,  but  his  sermons  were  not 
of  a  high  order.  While  not  an  educated  man,  he  was 
honest  and  strong  in  his  convictions,  sound  in  doctrine, 
earnest  and  faithful  in  his  presentation  of  the  truth. 
Almost  every  sermon  that  he  preached  had  portions  that 
were  delivered  with  telling  effect.  Liberty  Church,  for 
a  season,  and  other  places  in  the  Middle  District  Asso- 
ciation prospered  under  his  ministry.  In  his  latter  years 
his  efficiency  was  much  hindered  by  trouble  and  embar- 
rassment.    His  death  occurred  in  March,  1864. 


REUBEN  FORD 

Goochland  County,  Virginia,  though  very  narrow,  lies 
for  some  fifty  miles  along  the  northern  bank  of  James 
River.  In  this  county,  on  Ji-ily  22,  1816,  Reuben  Ford 
was  born.  His  useful  life  and  ministry  make  one  regret 
that  the  circumstances  of  his  early  life  are  not  known. 
In  1840,  he  was  ordained  to  the  ministry  and  chosen 
pastor  of  Goochland,  Dover,  Deep  Run,  and  Winns 
churches,  all  in  the  Dover  Association.  He  remained  on 
this  field  until  1846,  when  he  accepted  a  call  to  Hepzibah 
and  Spring  Creek,  both  in  Chesterfield  County.  On  this 
field  he  gave  half  of  his  time  to  Spring  Creek,  after- 
wards known  as  Bethlehem,  which  was  much  the  larger 
church.  At  this  latter  church  he  was  succeeded  by  Rev. 
W.  S.  Bland.  In  the  fall  of  1852,  he  was  called  to  take 
charge  of  a  mission  on  Church  Hill,  in  Richmond.  The 
following  June  he  reported  to  the  General  Association 
that  on  this  field  he  had  preached  145  sermons,  baptized 
twenty-eight  persons,  and  distributed  1,500  pages  of  lit- 
erature. During  the  fall  he  had  carried  on  for  three  or 
four  weeks  a  protracted  meeting.  His  congregations 
were  large  and  would  have  been  larger,  but  the  place  used 
for  worship  was  not  big  enough.  He  reported  a  sub- 
scription of  $6,000  towards  a  meeting-house.  A  year 
later  he  reported  to  the  Association  that  in  October  he 
had  held  a  protracted  meeting  and  that  among  the 
eighteen  baptized,  as  a  result  of  these  services,  were  four 
gentlemen,  heads  of  families.  On  Christmas  Day  the 
basement  of  the  new  house  of  worship  had  been  opened ; 
it  seated  500.  On  the  first  Sunday  in  January  a  Sunday 
school  had  been  organized  that  had  grown  to  250.  With 
"the  assistance  of  the  ladies"  he  had  collected  $5,600  for 
the  new  house,  which  was  to  cost  $13,000.     In  1855,  he 

54 


REUBEN  FORD  55 

reported  to  the  General  Association  that  the  Church  Hill 
mission  had  become  a  church,  the  organization  having 
been  effected  the  previous  July.  So  started  what  is  now 
known  as  Leigh  Street  Baptist  Church,  which,  setting 
out  with  103  members,  had  received  by  letter  and 
baptism  eighty  more  before  the  year  was  closed.  In  his 
report  this  year  he  expressed  the  hope  that  this  new 
church  would  soon  become  self-supporting  and  "one  of 
the  most  liberal  contributors  to  our  treasury."  The 
next  year  he  reported  to  the  Association,  through  the 
Board,  that  at  Leigh  Street  he  had  baptized  thirty  per- 
sons, and  collected  $50.05  for  the  Board.  It  is  interest- 
ing to  know  that  in  1853  the  State  Mission  Board  appro- 
priated $400,  and  the  "Board  at  Marion"  $200  towards 
Mr.  Ford's  support.  In  1857,  he  accepted  a  call  to  the 
Second  Baptist  Church,  of  Nashville,  Tenn.  "Here  he 
rendered  faithful  and  valuable  service,  which  was  fol- 
loAved  by  most  gratifying  results.  The  house  of  wor- 
ship in  which  he  preached  was  used  as  a  hospital  during 
the  war  (1861-5)  and  he  was  thrown  into  prison  be- 
cause he  would  not  take  the  oath  of  allegiance  to  the 
Federal  Government.  Soon  after  his  release  he  died  in 
Nashville,  March  12,  1864,  from  the  effects  of  his  im- 
prisonment." 


WILLIAM  MYLNE 

William  Mylne  was  born  in  Scotland.  He  came  to 
America  in  early  life.  He  was  educated  at  the  Virginia 
Baptist  Seminary,  and  in  1835  was  set  apart  as  a  mis- 
sionary to  Liberia.  Rev.  Wm.  G.  Crocker,  who  had 
been  appointed  missionary  at  the  same  time,  and  he 
selected  Edina  as  their  station.  At  Bassa  Cove  a  meet- 
ing-house was  erected,  and  in  1836  sixteen  were  baptized. 
Mr.  Mylne  was  pastor  pro  tempore.  In  1837,  the  mis- 
sion houses  were  completed  and  occupied.  Among  the 
pupils  of  the  school  was  an  intelligent  son  of  King 
Kober.  Mr.  Mylne's  health  broke  down,  and  in  1838, 
returning  to  America,  he  was  first  and  last  pastor  in 
Goochland,  Hanover,  Louisa,  and  Orange  counties, 
Virginia.  Zion  Church,  Orange  County,  and  Fork, 
Louisa  County,  were  among  the  churches  he  served.  He 
was  of  gentle  disposition  and  unfeigned  godliness,  a  man 
of  superior  talents,  a  gifted  speaker.  He  served  the 
cause  of  Christ  with  noted  fidelity.  He  died  March  8, 
1864,  aged  sixty-three  years. 


56 


WILLIAM   HARRIS 

Bedford  County,  so  famous  as  the  birthplace  of 
Baptist  preachers,  while  not  the  native  county  of  William 
Harris,  was  for  many  years  his  home,  and  in  large 
measure  the  field  of  his  labor.  In  1805,  having  removed 
from  Buckingham,  he  settled  in  Bedford,  uniting  with 
the  church  at  Goose  Creek  (now  Mt.  Zion )  Church, 
whose  pastor  was  Rev.  Joshua  Burnet.  His  ministry 
had  commenced  in  Buckingham  and  now  he  was  or- 
dained in  Bedford,  the  Presbytery  consisting  of  Elders 
Joshua  Burnet,  Joel  Preston,  and  William  Leftwich. 
Later  he  removed  to  Liberty  (now  known  as  Bedford 
City),  where  he  lived  the  rest  of  his  life,  and  united 
with  the  church  there  that  was  called  then  Little  Otter. 
With  Bedford  as  his  home  and  the  chief  center  of  his 
influence,  his  efforts  in  behalf  of  the  cause  of  Christ 
extended  to  the  counties  of  Roanoke  and  Botetourt  and 
even  further.  During  the  long  course  of  his  ministry 
he  was  pastor  at  one  time  or  another  of  the  following- 
churches  :  Little  Otter,  Timber  Ridge,  Hunting  Creek, 
Goose  Creek  (Morgan's),  Wolf  Hill,  Suck  Spring,  Glade 
Creek,  Tinker  Creek  (Big  Lick),  Jennings  Creek,  Cove, 
New  Prospect.  Five  of  these  churches,  those  named 
last  in  this  list,  were  organized  by  him.  Especially  with 
two  others  is  his  name  associated,  Hunting  Creek, 
where  he  was  pastor  for  some  forty  years,  and  Suck 
Spring,  where  his  pastorate  ran  beyond  a  half  century. 

Times  have  greatly  changed  since  William  Harris  was 
in  the  vigor  of  his  useful  life.  It  is  hard  to  realize  how 
great  these  changes  have  been.  The  railroads  and  tele- 
graphs and  hundreds  of  other  comforts  and  conveniences 
that  are  now  within  the  reach  of  the  humblest  and 
poorest  were  then  unknown.  The  country  was  sparsely 
settled  and  most  of  the  dwellings  and  meeting-houses  in 
the  rural  districts  were  by  no  means  models  of  comfort. 

57 


58  VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

The  people  were  simpler  in  their  tastes  than  we  are.  lived 
much  in  the  open  air,  and  while  they  knew  less  of  the 
healing  art  than  is  known  to-day,  perhaps  they  were 
freer  from  disease.  The  people  of  that  period,  at  least 
in  the  community  where  Elder  Harris  lived  and  labored, 
are  described  as  plain,  industrious,  unaspiring,  and  not 
distinguished  for  their  intelligence  or  literary  taste. 
"They  were  a  laboring  rather  than  a  reading  people. 
They  had  schools,  but  in  them  were  taught  only  the 
merest  elements  of  learning  and  even  these  in  a  very  im- 
perfect manner.  There  was  little  except  the  bold  features 
of  the  country,  and  its  fine  salubrious  air.  to  stimulate 
intellectual  development."  Let  the  reader  be  reminded 
that  "the  bold  features  of  the  country,"  just  alluded  to, 
include  the  majestic  Peaks  of  Otter  that  lift  their 
heads  some  four  thousand  feet  into  the  air,  and  that  once 
seen  are  not  easily  forgotten.  The  class  of  preachers  to 
which  William  Harris  belonged,  a  class  that  has  now  al- 
most entirely  passed  away,  "were  little  indebted  to  schools 
and  libraries,  and  not  at  all  to  colleges  and  theological 
seminaries,  for  their  successes.  They  were  blessed  with 
sound  minds  and  usually  with  sound  bodies,  and  to  these 
were  added  piety,  experience,  an  inextinguishable  desire 
for  the  salvation  of  sinners,  and  a  readiness  and  fervency 
in  publishing  the  rudimental  principles  of  the  gospel. 
They  preached  not  for  fame  or  wealth,  but  because  they 
felt  that  they  had  a  divine  call  to  the  work.  Their  own 
hands  ministered  to  their  necessities,  while  they  gave 
themselves  as  they  had  opportunity  'to  prayer  and  to  the 
ministry  of  the  word.'  The  great  aim  and  labor  of  their 
lives  was  to  convert  sinners  to  Christ.  To  this  end  they 
did  not  find  it  necessary  to  look  for  vacant  pulpits,  invit- 
ing fields,  or  liberal  salaries ;  but  the  barn,  the  forest,  or 
the  open  space'  would  serve  them  for  a  temple ;  a  stump 
or  stone  or  the  level  earth  for  a  pulpit ;  and  wherever 
they  could  find  sinners,  willing  to  hear  them,  they  had  a 
call  to   preach.      Their  labors   were   chiefly   among  the 


WILLIAM  HARRIS  59 

poor,  the  illiterate,  and  the  unsophisticated ;  and  it  was 
no  hindrance  to  their  success  that  they  cared  nothing  for 
etiquette  and  show,  and  made  no  pretension  to  refine- 
ment. As  they  were  not  learned,  so  they  were  not 
pedantic ;  as  they  were  not  great,  so  neither  were  they 
ambitious.  They  were  plain,  sensible,  godly,  earnest, 
laborious  men,  who  preached  because  they  must — each 
one  hearing  the  voice  of  conscience  reiterating  the  words 
of  the  apostle,  'Woe  is  unto  me  if  I  preach  not  the 
gospel.'  Their  vocation  was  to  preach  and  preach  they 
did.  If  their  hearers  contributed  to  their  support,  well — 
they  were  thankful  and  encouraged;  but  if  their  hearers 
contributed  nothing,  it  was  still  well,  the  neglect  con- 
cerned their  hearers  more  than  it  concerned  them;  they 
were  laboring  for  Christ,  and  expected  their  reward 
from  Him." 

Under  the  preaching  of  William  Harris  multitudes  of 
persons  were  converted,  and  by  his  hands  many  were 
buried  with  Christ  in  baptism.  During  one  year  he  led 
no  less  than  250  persons  into  the  "liquid  grave,"  and 
during  his  whole  ministry  he  must  have  baptized  at  least 
3,000  candidates.  One  of  the  most  blessed  features  of 
his  ministry  was  the  large  numbers  of  young  men  whom 
his  influence  helped  to  bring  to  be  heralds  of  the  good 
news  of  salvation.  Here  is  a  list,  and  it  is  probably  in- 
complete, of  those  whom  he  baptized  who  afterwards 
became  ministers:  William  Fuqua,  Jno.  G.  Mills,  Arm- 
stead  Ogden,  George  Pearcy,  Daniel  Witt,  Jesse  Witt, 
Merriman  Lunsford,  James  Mitchell,  Albert  Mitchell, 
Zachariah  Whorley,  William  Jeter,  F.  M.  Barker,  James 
White,  Samuel  R.  White,  William  L.  Hatcher,  Marshall 
Read,  John  W.  Kelly,  Harvey  Hatcher,  Wm.  E. 
Hatcher,  Thomas  N.  Sanderson,  John  N.  Johnson,  J.  B. 
Jeter,  C.  C.  Meador.  In  beautiful  guise  do  the  pens  of 
some  of  these  men  set  before  our  eyes  this  man  who 
was  their  father  in  the  gospel.  They  all  seem  to  remem- 
ber distinctly  his    dress  and  personal  appearance.      Dr. 


60  VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

Wm.  E.  Hatcher  says :  'T  saw  in  the  pulpit  .  .  . 
Elder  William  Harris — Father  Harris  the  young  people 
called  him — with  his  hair  white  as  the  snow  and  falling 
in  silken  softness  around  his  shoulders,  with  a  face  tinged 
with  an  Indian  hue  and  cheek  bones  very  high,  with  an 
eye  blue  as  the  sky  and  radiant  with  a  light  not  of  this 
world,  with  a  voice  mellow,  musical,  and  irresistible 
when  he  sang,  with  a  white  handkerchief  tie  around  his 
neck  and  a  spotless  collar.  His  coat  was  like  a  modern 
cutaway,  black  with  vast  flaps  over  the  side  pockets,  and 
out  of  one  of  the  pockets  protruded  a  clean  pipe-stem 
that  pushed  back  the  flap  and  lifted  its  unblushing  length 
into  full  view.  He  was  tall,  well  rounded,  the  very 
figure  and  form  and  glory  of  a  fine  old  man."  Dr.  C.  C. 
Meador  remembered  the  pipe  just  alluded  to  and  the 
way  it  was  used.  He  says :  "When  the  sermon  was 
ended  Elder  Harris  would  hasten  to  the  outskirts  of  the 
congregation,  light  his  pipe,  and  indulge  in  a  smoke,  at 
the  same  time  engaging  in  conversation  and  a  hearty 
handshaking  with  all  who  gathered  about  him." 

Dr.  J.  B.  Jeter  in  speaking  of  his  early  associates  in 
the  ministry  describes  Elder  Harris.  Elder  Harris  had 
helped  him  in  his  long  search  for  salvation.  Upon  hear- 
ing his  experience  Harris  said  to  him :  "You  are  con- 
verted," and  these  words  were  full  of  assurance  and 
comfort  to  Jeter.  Dr.  Jeter  writes :  "  .  .  .  Had 
Harris  appeared  in  any  assembly  a  stranger  would  have 
been  apt  to  inquire :  'What  tall,  venerable-looking  man 
is  that?'  The  character  of  Elder  Harris  was  above 
reproach.  A  countryman  not  remarkable  for  his  chari- 
talDle  judgments  of  men,  who  had  known  him  well  for 
forty  years,  on  being  asked  if  he  had  ever  heard  any 
evil  report  of  him,  replied  with  promptness  and  energy : 
'No ;  and  if  I  had,  I  should  have  known  that  it  was  a 
lie.'  .  .  .  The  Elder  was  not  a  great  preacher  if 
greatness  is  to  be  measured  by  learning,  logical  acumen, 


WILLIAM  HARRIS  61 

an  accurate  knowledge  of  the  Scriptures,  or  a  vivid 
imagination.  If,  however,  ministerial  greatness  is  to  be 
estimated  by  a  capacity  for  usefulness  few  had  a  higher 
claim  to  it  than  Elder  Harris.  .  .  .  Of  all  preachers 
we  have  ever  heard,  none  were  less  promising  in  the 
beginning  of  their  sermons  than  was  Elder  Harris. 
In  the  commencement  of  his  discourse  his 
speech  w^as  slow  and  unimpressive,  his  remarks  were 
desultory,  and  he  not  un frequently  betrayed  a  lack  of  the 
knowledge  of  the  connection  of  his  text  and  of  its 
obvious  meaning.  His  hearers  need  not  be  discouraged, 
but  should  patiently  wait  for  the  coming  feast.  It  may 
not  come  at  all  but  it  will  be  likely  to  come.  As  he  ad- 
vances he  warms  with  his  subject.  His  thoughts 
brighten,  his  enunciation  becomes  more  distinct  and 
emphatic,  the  tones  of  his  voice  glide  into  an  indescrib- 
able tenderness  and  pathos,  and  before  he  has  been 
preaching  an  hour  you  conclude  that  there  is  no  use  in 
attempting  to  resist  the  impression  of  the  discourse,  and 
you  unconsciously  hang  your  head  and  give  full  indul- 
gence to  your  emotions  and  your  tears."  Later  in  life, 
when  Dr.  Jeter  had  heard  many  of  the  land's  best 
preachers,  he  heard  Elder  Harris  again,  and  found  that 
his  sermons  stood  comparison  with  those  of  men  who 
had  had  larger  opportunities  for  education  and  were 
known  abroad  in  the  land  for  their  pulpit  power.  He 
says :  "When  I  was  near  fifty  years  old  and  Harris  was 
not  far  from  eighty,  I  had  several  opportunities  of  hear- 
ing him  preach,  and,  to  my  surprise,  I  was  affected 
under  his  ministry  precisely  as  I  had  been  in  my  youth." 
Dr.  Harvey  Hatcher  described  in  the  Religious  Herald 
a  protracted  meeting  which  took  place  at  Suck  Spring 
when  he  was  a  youth.  He  says :  "  .  .  .  The  old 
house  was  of  wood,  long  and  rather  narrow,  with  two 
doors,  one  in  each  side  about  midway  the  house  and 
opposite  each  other.     There  was  an  open  space  between 


62  VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

these  doors.  .  .  .  The  house  was  packed. 
I  was  not  a  Christian.  As  I  drew  near  and  took  position 
among  those  standing  near  the  door,  Elder  Harris  walked 
down  from  the  pulpit  and  took  his  stand  between  the 
doors  and  began  to  exhort.  He  began  in  soft,  gentle 
tones,  but  his  heart  was  on  fire  and  rapidly  he  kindled, 
and  for  one  half  hour  he  poured  forth  a  torrent  of 
eloquence  that  I  have  never  heard  equalled. 
How  can  I  ever  forget  that  look  of  solicitude,  of  love,  of 
consuming  anxiety,  as  he  turned  to  the  door  and  ad- 
dressed himself  to  those  who  were  without!  Little  did 
he  know  how  he  was  stirring  the  heart  of  one  youth." 
Later  on  Elder  Harris  baptized  him,  and  he  describes 
the  scene  thus :  "...  A  great  crowd  gathered  on 
the  bank  of  a  clear  mountain  stream.  ...  A  long 
list  of  candidates  followed  him  into  the  water. 
There  were  some  twenty  boys  .  .  .  among  whom 
were  W.  E.  H.  and  myself.  .  .  .  And  when  we 
came  to  the  church  from  the  water  Elder  Harris 
preached  and  then  he  suggested  that  the  brethren  sing 
and  give  the  new  members  the  hand  of  Christian  wel- 
come. With  life  and  fervor  they  sang:  'How  happy 
are  they  who  their  Saviour  obey,'  and  all  came  to  us  and 
bade  us  welcome  among  the  Lord's  saints.  And  the 
pastor  came  also,  and  what  delight  beamed  in  his  eye  as 
he  took  his  children  in  the  Lord  by  the  hand !" 

Elder  Harris  departed  this  life  October  29,  1865.  For 
one  year  his  strength  had  been  failing.  He  continued 
to  conduct  his  family  worship  until  by  paralysis  he  was 
deprived  of  the  power  of  speech.  Even  then  he  insisted 
that  the  family  should  gather  to  pray  and  read.  On 
the  morning  before  his  death,  being  unable  to  speak,  he 
pointed  again  and  again  upward,  as  towards  the  goal  for 
which  he  longed.  A  few  moments  before  the  end  a 
grandson  said  to  him :  "I  suppose  you  are  now  going 
home."  With  an  affirmative  gesture  he  replied  to  this 
remark  and  quietly  fell  asleep  in  Jesus. 


RICHARD  NUTT  HERNDON 

No  higher  type  of  Christian  manhood  ever  gave  his 
Hfe  and  talents  to  the  service  of  the  Master  than  Elder 
Richard  Nutt  Herndon,  the  second  son  of  Jno.  C.  and 
Alice  Nutt  Herndon,  of  Fauquier  County,  Virginia.  He 
was  born  February  26,  1809,  and  with  Thaddeus,  Tra- 
verse D.,  and  Henry,  formed  the  "Quartette  of  Herndon 
Brothers"  sent  out  by  Long  Branch  Church  as  messengers 
for  Christ.  Inspired  by  their  example,  their  father,  who 
had  long  been  an  honored  deacon  of  the  same  church,  felt 
called  of  the  Spirit  to  devote  the  remainder  of  his  life 
in  the  same  service,  and  was  duly  set  apart  to  the 
ministry. 

Few  young  men  of  his  day  were  more  peculiarly  fitted 
to  preach  the  gospel  than  R.  N.  Herndon.  From  his 
boyhood  he  was  an  earnest  Christian  and  church  worker. 
Reared  in  a  home  of  refinement  and  culture,  by  godly 
parents,  he  had  very  superior  advantages,  and,  possess- 
ing superior  intellectual  talents,  he  became  an  ardent 
student.  His  early  education  was  received  under  the 
instruction  of  his  father,  who  conducted  a  school  for 
his  own  children,  and  some  of  the  neighborhood 
families.  After  this  careful  preparation  he  taught  school 
several  sessions  and  then  entered  Richmond  Seminary 
(now  Richmond  College),  where  he  and  his  beloved 
friend,  J.  Lewis  Shuck,  were  the  first  graduates.  Later 
he  took  an  advanced  course  at  Columbian  College, 
District  of  Columbia,  and  then  entered  upon  his  chosen 
life  work. 

He  enjoyed  a  peculiar  privilege  in  being  the  "son  in 
the  ministry"  of  Elder  Wm.  F.  Broaddus,  whose  wise 
counsel  and  words  of  encouragement,  and  kind,  pastoral 
letters,  gave  him  courage  and  strensith  to  overcome 
many  obstacles  and  discouragements. 

63 


'fe' 


64  VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

He  was  baptized  into  the  fellowship  of  Long  Branch 
Church,  Fauquier  County,  Virginia,  June  22,  1828,  by 
Elder  W.  F.  Broaddus ;  was  licensed  to  preach  the 
gospel,  by  the  same  church,  September  31,  1831.  Later 
he  was  ordained  to  the  ministry,  and  served  as  State 
evangelist  under  the  auspices  of  Salem  Union  Associa- 
tion, for  many  months,  in  the  counties  of  Loudoun, 
Berkeley,  Jefferson,  and  Hampshire.  He  also  did  some 
valuable  mission  work  in  the  counties  of  Page,  Shenan- 
doah, and  Rockingham.  Here  the  work  of  foreign 
missions  and  Sunday  schools  met  with  much  opposition, 
and  the  anti-mission  adherents  also  denounced  the  edu- 
cation of  ministers  in  theological  schools.  But  notwith- 
standing all  of  these  discouragements  he  became  the  ex- 
ponent of  missionary  enterprise  in  the  Valley  of  \'lr- 
ginia,  proclaiming  the  Master's  commission,  "Go  teach 
all  nations,"  with  earnestness  and  power. 

For  several  years  he  was  agent  for  the  Virginia  and 
Foreign  Bible  Society  in  conjunction  with  his  evangel- 
istic work,  under  the  auspices  of  the  General  Associa- 
tion of  Virginia,  traveling  through  the  entire  State,  aid- 
ing in  protracted  .meetings,  district  associational  meet- 
ings, helping  to  build  up  weak  churches,  and  establishing 
new  missions  wherever  practicable.  He  was  especially 
loyal  and  useful  to  his  almo  mater,  Richmond  Seminary, 
in  collecting  funds  for  the  support  of  ministerial  stu- 
dents, and  in  encouraging  many  young  men  to  consecrate 
their  talents  to  the  Master's  service,  and  to  enter  this 
institution  to  prepare  themselves  for  such  service.  He 
found  many  opportunities  to  aid  Wm.  Sands  in  placing 
the  Religious  Herald  in  the  homes  of  his  brethren  of 
like  faith,  and  from  its  first  issue  until  his  death  he  re- 
mained a  subscriber  to  this  paper. 

After  several  years  of  pioneer  service  he  entered  upon 
regular  pastoral  work,  serving  Olivet,  Front  Royal  and 
Howellsville  churches,  in  Warren  County ;    Liberty  and 


RICHARD  NUTT  HERNDON  65 

Spring  Hill,  in  Greene  County;  "F.  T,"  in  Rappa- 
hannock County;  the  most  fraternal  relations  existed 
between  him  and  his  co-laborers,  Elders  Barnett  and 
Aldridge  Grimsley,  A.  H.  Spilman,  Cumberland  George, 
George  Love,  Silas  Bruce,  James  Garnett,  and  a  host 
of  other  consecrated  ministers  of  his  day. 

But  his  life  work  centered  in  Page  County,  in  the 
heart  of  the  Shenandoah  Valley,  from  1850  to  1866. 
After  months  of  arduous  labor  he  succeeded  in  estab- 
hshing  the  first  missionary  Baptist  church  in  this  section 
of  the  State  at  the  county  seat,  Luray.  The  little  church 
had  a  hard  struggle  to  gain  a  foothold,  owing  to  the 
opposition  of  the  anti-mission  adherents,  who  openly 
ridiculed  the  "New  School  Baptists,"  as  they  contemptu- 
ously styled  them,  but  the  brave  pastor  worked 
patiently  and  unfalteringly.  A  young  minister,  who 
was  one  of  the  first  baptized  into  the  fellowship  of  this 
church,  wrote  of  him :  "No  man  ever  produced  a  deeper 
impression  upon  the  people  in  his  community  than 
Brother  Herndon.  His  letters  to  me  breathed  unabated 
confidence  in  God.  What  a  power  he  was  in  the  ministry 
eternity  alone  will  reveal !  No  experience,  however  hard, 
ever  shook  his  faith !" 

He  was  twice  married.  His  first  wife  was  Margaret 
A.  Pierce,  of  Westmoreland  County,  a  consecrated  and 
devoted  Christian.  Four  children  were  born  of  this 
union,  three  of  whom  died  in  infancy.  Her  gentle  spirit 
went  home  to  God,  December  26,  1841,  leaving  a  little 
daughter,  Margaret  Elizabeth,  only  a  few  hours  old. 
Many  years  afterwards  he  was  married  to  Elizabeth 
Jane  Tyler,  daughter  of  James  Monroe  and  Matilda 
Hebb  Tyler,  of  Prince  William  County,  Virginia. 

The  circumstances  which  led  to  his  union  with  this 
attractive  young  woman  were  quite  remarkable,  she  be- 
ing reared  in  the  Episcopal  faith,  and  mingling  in  the 
busy  whirl  of  social  life.     At  a  meeting  which  she  at- 


66  VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

tended,  near  Middleburg,  Va.,  conducted  by  Elders 
Thaddeus  and  Traverse  Herndon,  she  became  deeply 
impressed  with  the  principles  and  practices  of  tlie  Baptist 
faith.  She  at  once  became  an  earnest  "seeker  after 
truth,"  and,  after  her  happy  conversion,  sought  baptism, 
as  she  was  fully  convinced  that  this  act  of  obedience  was 
obligatory  upon  all  believers,  and  commanded  by  Christ 
and  in  imitation  of  His  example.  She  was  baptized  by 
Elder  Traverse  Herndon,  in  whose  home  she  was  often 
a  visitor,  and  here  her  Christian  character  rapidly 
developed.  Here  she  was  thrown  into  company  with  the 
"choicest  fellowship  of  believers,"  and  upon  one  of  these 
occasions  she  was  introduced  to  Elder  R.  N.  Herndon 
by  his  own  little  fair-haired  Margaret,  the  little  mother- 
less girl,  who  many  years  afterwards  became  the  wife 
of  Capt.  Fairfax  Mitchell,  of  Litwalton,  Va.  This  new 
friendship  soon  became  one  of  deeper  interest,  and  on 
October  28,  1852,  they  were  married  by  Elder  Traverse 
Herndon,  in  the  Baptist  church  at  Alexandria,  Va.  For 
several  years  they  resided  at  Dunlora,  near  Markham, 
in  Fauquier  County,  whilst  preparations  were  going  for- 
ward for  the  church  building  at  Luray.  Upon  their 
removal  to  this  town  they  found  the  congregation 
financially  unable  to  support  them  without  other  pe- 
cuniary aid.  They  also  found  the  great  need  of  a  good 
school  for  the  education  of  the  young  women  and  girls 
in  that  section  of  the  State.  Hence  the  Luray  Female 
Institute,  with  a  corps  of  accomplished  teachers,  under 
their  wise  direction,  became  a  great  power  for  the  intel- 
lectual uplift  of  the  young  girls  intrusted  to  their  care. 
Elder  Herndon  was  a  luon  of  true,  sincere,  loyal 
character,  conscientious  and  unselfish  to  an  extreme 
degree.  As  a  teacher  he  was  an  intellectual  leader,  in- 
spiring those  about  him  to  develop  every  talent  and  to 
improve  every  opportunity  afforded.  Endowed  with  a 
handsome  personal  appearance,  possessing  a  fine  intellect, 


RICHARD  NUTT  HERNDON  67 

and  a  close  student  of  the  word  of  God,  he  was  a  man 
of  unusual  personality.  Musical  by  nature,  and  having 
a  rich,  melodious  voice,  his  messages  of  song  went  home 
to  the  hearts  of  his  hearers  with  marked  power  and 
pathos. 

During  the  Civil  War  he  was  exempt  from  military 
service,  owing  to  physical  weakness,  the  result  of  the  life 
of  hardship  and  exposure,  in  those  days  when  he 
journeyed  through  the  mountain  section  of  the  State  on 
horseback,  in  all  kinds  of  weather,  to  fill  his  appoint- 
ments at  the  churches  which  were  at  great  distances 
apart.  In  those  da}-s  many  of  the  pastors  preached  to 
as  many  as  three  or  four  churches,  giving  one  Sabbath 
every  month  to  each  church,  a  few  days  each  week  spent 
in  visiting  the  various  congregations,  and  the  remainder 
of  the  time  spent  in  journeying  to  and  from  each  appoint- 
ment. Although  he  was  an  ardent  and  loyal  patriot  to 
his  native  State,  he  ever  recognized  the  Fatherhood  of 
God  and  brotherhood  of  man,  and  ministered  alike  to 
the  "Blue  and  the  Gray,"  in  their  hospitals,  and  to  their 
dead  and  dying.  Despite  this  Christian  service,  upon 
his  refusal  to  take  the  "oath  of  allegiance"  to  the  United 
States  Government,  he  was  taken  from  a  sick  bed  in  his 
home  at  Luray,  and  sent  to  a  cold,  damp  prison  at  Cul- 
peper  Court-House.  The  day  before  the  memorable  one 
which  closed  the  sad  conflict,  he  was  paroled,  and  one 
of  his  beloved  friends  in  that  town  sent  him  home  to  his 
loved  ones.  But  the  severe  tax  upon  him  was  too  great, 
and,  having  contracted  rheumatic  fever  during  his  im- 
prisonment, he  gradually  weakened  and  finally  suc- 
cumbed when  the  fatal  malady  attacked  his  heart. 

The  success  of  the  Baptist  cause  in  the  Valley  of  Vir- 
ginia is  largely  due,  under  the  Divine  blessing,  to  the 
efforts  of  R.  N.  Herndon  and  his  consecrated  wife, 
Elizabeth  Tyler.  The  necessary  life  of  hardship  and 
sacrifice  on  their  field  of  labor  was  borne  with  patience 
and  fortitude,  and  "their  works  do  follow  them." 


68  VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

On  the  morning  of  October  15.  1866,  this  beloved 
minister  fell  asleep  in  Jesus,  and  his  mortal  remains 
were  laid  to  rest  in  the  cemetery  of  the  little  town  where 
he  had  labored  so  faithfully  and  successfully.  A  modest 
marble  slab,  erected  by  his  beloved  congregation,  marks 
the  spot,  and  bears  this  eloquent  tribute  to  his  memory : 
"He  being  dead,  yet  speaketh !"  Many  years  afterwards 
the  remains  of  his  consecrated  wife  were  laid  beside  him, 
and  her  memory  is  tenderly  cherished  by  those  who  knew 
her  as  a  woman  of  deep  piety  and  unselfish  devotion, 
and  whose  faith  in  God  led  her  to  the  ''Blessed  Beyond." 
Their  life  work  accomplished,  they  will  sleep  side  by  side 
in  "God's  Acre"  until  the  blessed  Resurrection  Morn, 
when  they  shall  "awake  in  His  likeness." 

Matilda  Herndon  Stratford. 


SAMUEL  DORSET 

Samuel  Dorset  was  born  February  1,  1789,  in  New 
Jersey.  His  second  birth  seems  to  have  taken  place  also 
in  New  Jersey,  for  in  June,  1807,  he  united  with  the 
Baptist  Church  in  Newark,  N.  J.  In  April.  1816,  he 
moved  to  Richmond,  Va.,  and  on  May  8,  1818,  to  Amelia 
County.  In  May,  1819,  he  established  himself  in  Pow- 
hatan County,  where  he  spent  the  rest  of  his  long  life. 
It  is  to  be  regretted  that  the  record  of  a  life  which  was 
so  long  and  which  was  useful,  as  we  know  in  an  inter- 
esting way.  is  so  fragmentary.  While  he  is  said  to  have 
lacked  animation  and  warmth  in  the  delivery  of  his  ser- 
mons, he  evidently  had  strong  convictions  for  which  he 
was  willing  to  stand.  He  is  described  as  "well  informed, 
sound  in  doctrine,  and  liberal  in  his  views."  The  year 
1835  was  an  important  one  in  the  Middle  District  Asso- 
ciation, in  the  bounds  of  which  body  Elder  Dorset  lived. 
At  this  time  the  body  decided  to  cooperate  with  the 
General  Association.  By  this  step  they  committed  them- 
selves to  missions,  Sunday  schools,  temperance  work,  and 
an  educated  ministry.  This  was  too  advanced  ground 
for  some  of  the  churches  of  the  Middle  District.  One 
of  this  number  was  Skinquarter.  A  contest  ensued  as  to 
who  should  be  their  pastor.  The  majority  voted  for 
Elder  Edmund  Goode,  who  held  anti-mission  views.  The 
minority  under  the  leadership  of  Elder  Dorset,  for  whom 
they  had  voted,  went  out  and  organized  Mt.  Hermon 
Church.  Over  this  flock  he  was  pastor  from  this  time 
until  1849.  From  the  very  first,  under  his  ardent  cham- 
pionship of  the  cause,  Mt.  Hermon  took  the  lead  in 
Sunday-school  work.  As  late  as  1851  only  four  churches 
reported  Sunday  schools,  one  of  them  being  Mt.  Her- 
mon, which  reported  105  scholars  and  eighteen  officers 

69 


70  VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

and  teachers.  The  fact  that  from  those  days  even  up 
to  the  present  time  Mt.  Hermon  has  had  such  an  honor- 
able Sunday-school  record  is  largely  due  to  the  influence 
of  Samuel  Dorset.  With  the  change  of  one  word  the 
lines  of  Longfellow  are  timely : 

"So  when  a  good  man  dies, 
For  years  beyond  our  ken, 
The  Hght  he  leaves  behind  him  lies 
Upon  the  paths  of  men." 

Skinquarter  went  into  the  Zoar  Association,  but,  as  is 
recorded  in  another  part  of  this  volume,  the  history  of 
this  organization  was  brief.  "During  the  last  years  of 
his  life  he  was  discjualified  for  service  and  seldom  went 
out  from  home.  He  died  April  4,  1868,  at  the  advanced 
age  of  eighty  years." 


ROBERT  BOYLE  CRAWFORD  HOWELL 

While  Robert  Boyle  Crawford  Howell  was  not  born 
in  Virginia,  and  while  the  larger  part  of  his  labors  was 
done  in  another  state,  still  he  was  closely  identified  with 
the  work  of  Virginia  Baptists.  His  birth  took  place, 
March  10,  1801,  on  his  father's  farm  on  the  Neuse 
River,  Wayne  County,  North  Carolina,  he  being  the 
fifth  child  of  Ralph  Howell  and  Jane  Crawford.  His 
parents  and  their  forebears  were  Episcopalians,  and  in 
his  earlier  days,  when  books  were  scarce,  the  boy's 
library  was  little  more  than  the  Bible  and  the  prayer- 
book.  While  his  parents  gave  him  religious  instruction, 
and  while  the  superior  character  of  his  mother  inclined 
him  to  habits  of  thought  and  towards  spiritual  things, 
besides  these  influences  there  came  to  him  convictions 
which  he  wrought  out  from  the  close  study  of  his  library 
of  two  books.  Although  he  had  never  read  a  Baptist 
book,  he  came  gradually  to  the  conclusion  that  religion 
is  the  work  of  the  Holy  Spirit  in  the  heart;  that  it  is 
not  communicated  by  sacraments ;  that  infant  baptism 
is  unsupported  by  Scriptures,  and  that  the  Episcopacy 
is  unauthorized  by  the  word  of  God.  It  was  with 
reluctance  that  he  came  to  these  views,  as  they  were 
contrary  to  his  early  training.  After  several  years,  dur- 
ing which  time  he  passed  through  severe  and  prolonged 
conflicts,  reading  his  Bible  daily  on  his  knees,  and  pray- 
ing for  light,  in  the  autumn  of  1820  he  received  the 
joy  of  salvation,  and,  on  February  6,  1821,  was  baptized 
by  Rev.  Robert  T.  Daniel,  pastor  of  the  Baptist  Church, 
in  Raleigh,  into  the  fellowship  of  the  nearest  church  to 
his  father's  home,  the  Nanghunti  Church,  some  fourteen 
miles  away.  While  the  young  man  did  not  realize  it  at 
the  time,  his  career  as  a  minister  practically  began  soon 

71 


72  VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

after  his  baptism.  The  very  next  Lord's  Day,  being 
urged  by  the  pastor  of  the  church.  Rev.  John  Thomas, 
he  preached  his  first  sermon,  from  the  text  Matt.  1 1  :2-6, 
his  subject  being  the  infinite  grace  manifested  in  the 
gospel  of  Christ.  In  this  sermon  he  considered :  first, 
the  confirmation  of  the  Messiahship  of  Jesus  by 
miracles ;  second,  the  benevolent  character  of  his 
miracles ;  and,  third,  the  certainty  that  those  who  believe 
in  Him  shall  be  saved.  At  the  first  business  meeting  of 
his  church,  after  his  baptism,  he  was  licensed  to  preach, 
and  in  the  following  months  he  conducted  various 
religious  services  at  private  houses,  speaking  to  large 
crowds,  but  still  it  was  his  plan  and  purpose  to  take  up 
the  study  of  the  law.  Yet  the  question  as  to  the  ministry 
perplexed  him,  but  he  decided  to  hold  his  decision  in 
abeyance  until  he  went  to  college,  getting  in  the  mean- 
time all  the  light  he  could.  Before  he  set  out  for 
Columbian  College,  in  the  fall  of  1821  or  the  spring  of 
1822,  "a  tall,  spare-made  youth  in  homespun  clothes," 
nearly  200  persons  had  professed  faith  in  Christ,  and  a 
large  church  had  been  organized. 

At  Columbian  College  (Washington  City),  whose 
president  at  that  time  was  Rev.  Dr.  Wm.  Staughton, 
there  was  a  missionary  society  among  the  students, 
whose  members  went  out  two  by  two  on  Sunday  to 
preach  at  the  Preparatory  School  of  the  College,  Rock 
Hill,  the  Poor  House,  and  at  churches  in  the  city  and 
in  Alexandria.  Mr.  Howell  became  active  in  this  work, 
and  was  also  the  superintendent  of  the  college  Sunday 
school.  In  July,  1826,  as  Mr.  Howell  was  planning  to 
spend  some  time  at  his  home  on  the  Neuse,  he  was 
urged  by  Rev.  Dr.  R.  B.  Semple,  of  the  Board  of  the 
General  Association  of  Virginia,  to  preach  for  a  season 
as  a  missionary  of  the  Board.  Somewhat  previous  to 
this,  two  young  preachers,  J.  B.  Jeter  and  Daniel  Witt, 
afterwards    so   distinguished    among   Virginia    Baptists, 


ROBERT  BOYLE  CRAWFORD  HOWELL    73 

had  been  sent  by  this  same  Board  to  labor  in  the  western 
part  of  the  State.  Norfolk  was  the  center  of  the  terri- 
tory assigned  to  Mr.  Howell.  He  was  to  preach  once 
a  month  to  thirty  churches,  and  one  day  each  month  at 
three  places.  He  had  as  his  fellow-laborer  a  young 
preacher  of  Sussex  County,  Thomas  B.  Creath.  To- 
wards the  close  of  the  year,  Rev.  Noah  Davis  gave  up 
the  pastorate  of  the  Cumberland  Street  Baptist  Church, 
Norfolk,  and  moved  to  Philadelphia.  Mr.  Howell  was 
asked  to  supply  the  pulpit  until  a  pastor  could  be  secured. 
He  consented,  and  went  to  work,  preaching  every  night. 
Finally  his  plan  to  be  a  lawyer  was  abandoned.  The 
church  called  on  him  to  be  ordained,  and,  counting  this 
the  voice  of  God,  he  heeded  the  call,  and  finall}^  gave 
himself  without  further  hesitation  to  the  Gospel 
ministry.  The  Presbytery  that  ordained  him  consisted 
of  Rev.  Dr.  Wm.  Staughton,  Rev.  Dr.  Samuel  Wait, 
his  teachers  at  Columbian,  Rev.  Peter  Lugg,  and  Rev. 
James  Mitchell,  and  the  service  took  place  January  7, 
1827.  Renewed  enthusiasm  marked  his  labors;  within 
a  short  time  some  200  young  people  had  been  baptized, 
and  before  the  end  of  the  year  the  church  had  called  on 
him  twice  to  become  their  pastor.  The  second  appeal 
he  granted.  This  union  lasted  some  seven  or  eight 
years,  during  which  time  he  baptized  519  persons.  Not 
only  as  a  preacher,  but  also  as  a  pastor,  he  was  ever  at 
work.  He  was  popular  among  all  classes,  his  manner 
was  hearty  and  attractive,  his  physical  presence  was 
imposing,  his  conversation  was  lively  and  entertaining, 
his  face  was  often  seen  in  the  homes  of  the  poor  and 
the  shops  of  the  working  men.  He  was  a  leader  in  his 
association,  the  Portsmouth,  being  first  its  clerk,  and 
then,  until  he  left  Virginia,  its  moderator.  In  1828,  he 
was  made  one  of  the  vice-presidents  of  the  Triennial 
Convention,  and  already  he  was  beginning,  notwith- 
standing his  many  other  engagements,  to  wield  his  pen, 
writing  essays  and  books. 


74  VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

On  the  first  Sunday  of  January,  1835,  he  preached 
his  first  sermon  as  pastor  of  the  Baptist  Church  in  Nash- 
ville. Upon  his  acceptance  of  this  field,  a  churcli  once 
strong  and  numerous  was  weak  and  small,  the  change 
having  been  wrought  by  the  introduction  of  the  doctrines 
taught  by  Alexander  Campbell.  A  better  day  soon 
dawned.  Before  this  pastorate  ended  Mr.  Howell  had 
baptized  392  persons,  and  built  a  meeting-house,  and  the 
feeble  band  that  first  greeted  him  had  come  to  be  four 
aggressive  churches ;  and  in  this  time  had  sent  twenty- 
three  young  men  out  to  preach.  During  these  years  in 
Nashville,  Mr.  Howell,  blessed  with  great  physical 
endurance,  was  in  labors  abundant.  He  founded  The 
Baptist,  a  State  denominational  organ,  was  a  leader  in 
the  establishment  of  the  Union  University,  at  Murfrees- 
boro,  Tenn.,  was  a  trustee  of  the  Tennessee  Institution 
for  the  Blind,  was  active  in  the  discussions  that  finally 
resulted  in  the  birth  of  the  Southern  Baptist  Theological 
Seminary,  and  was  ever  at  work  with  his  pen.  In  1849, 
he  became  pastor  of  the  Second  Baptist  Church,  Rich- 
mond, Va.  In  this  important  field  his  activity  seemed 
to  know  no  limit.  He  took  no  summer  vacation.  The 
annual  average  additions  to  the  church  were  about  fifty- 
seven.  He  preached  in  these  years  2,000  sermons, 
assisted  in  the  organization  of  five  churches,  and  the 
ordination  of  seven  ministers  of  the  gospel.  Nor  was 
his  work  confined  to  his  own  congregation.  He  was  a 
trustee  of  Richmond  College,  and  also  of  what  is  now 
the  Woman's  College  of  Richmond,  a  member  of  the 
Foreign  Mission  Board,  and  at  four  successive  sessions 
was  elected  president  of  the  Southern  Baptist  Conven- 
tion. In  1857,  he  began  his  second  pastorate  with  the 
Nashville  church,  preaching  his  first  sermon  on  July 
19th.  Trials  assailed  the  church,  but,  nevertheless,  a 
revival  of  power  came,  and  the  final  outcome  was 
progress  in  numbers  and  prosperity.    The  Civil  War  took 


ROBERT  BOYLE  CRAWFORD  HOWELL    75 

many  young  men  and  finally  the  meeting-house,  and 
before  it  was  over  Mr.  Howell  had  suffered  imprison- 
ment. Soon  after  the  war,  when  his  health  began  to 
fail,  he  took  his  first  vacation  and  visited  the  Neuse  and 
Norfolk,  the  scenes  of  his  youth,  and  his  first  pastorate. 
Li  January,  1867,  he  suffered  a  slight  stroke  of  paraly- 
sis, after  which  his  health  gradually  gave  way  until,  on 
Sunday,  April  5,  1868,  just  at  the  hour  when  for  so 
many  years  he  had  stood  in  the  pulpit  to  preach  the 
gospel  he  loved  so  well,  he  passed  to  his  reward. 

Among  the  books  and  pamphlets  he  gave  to  the  de- 
nomination and  the  world  were  the  following:  "Plain 
Things  for  Plain  Men,"  "The  Evils  of  Infant  Baptism,'' 
"The  Cross,"  "The  Covenants,"  "Terms  of  Christian 
Communion,"  "The  Way  of  Salvation,"  "The  Deacon- 
ship,"  "The  Early  Baptists  of  Virginia."  This  last  book 
was  not  published  until  after  his  death,  being  one  of 
four  manuscript  books  which  he  left ;  the  others  were  : 
"The  Family,"  "The  Christology  of  the  Pentateuch," 
"Memorial  of  the  First  Baptist  Church,  Nashville, 
1820-1862."  The  degree  of  Doctor  of  Divinity  was 
conferred  on  him  about  1844,  by  Georgetown  College, 
Kentucky.  "As  a  minister  he  was  regarded  as  one  of 
the  ablest  and  most  learned  men  in  the  South,  and  no 
one  exercised  a  greater  or  more  beneficial  influence 
within  or  outside  of  the  church.  His  life  was  unspotted, 
his  Christian  course  was  marked  by  the  highest  virtues. 
His  courtesy  and  kindness  of  heart  made  him  a  uni- 
versal favorite,  notwithstanding  the  fierce  theological 
debates  in  which  he  was  often  engaged.  He  was  a 
thorough  Baptist  and  always  jealous  of  the  fair  fame 
of  his  denomination."  Most  of  the  facts  here  given, 
and  in  some  cases  the  language,  are  taken  from  a  sketch 
written  by  Mrs.  Fannie  D.  Nelson. 


WILLIAM  P.  PARISH 

Some  three  miles  southeast  of  Charlottesville,  Va.,  is 
"Verdant  Lawn,"  a  handsome  country  residence.  The 
house,  which  was  of  brick,  stood  upon  "a  ridge"  that 
runs  parallel  and  near  to  Carter's  Mountain.  Past  of 
the  ridge  is  a  little  stream  and  a  beautiful  piece  of 
meadow  land.  On  the  west  there  is  first  a  depression  up 
which  the  family  road  winds,  and  further  off  is  another 
ridge,  and  further  off  still  a  little  north  is  the  University 
of  Virginia,  the  town  of  Charlottesville,  and  back  of  all, 
miles  away,  the  Blue  Ridge  Mountains.  In  the  summer 
the  house  is  not  visible  from  the  public  road ;  it  is  hidden 
by  the  great  black  oaks  that  stand  in  front  of  it,  and  in 
the  distance  the  orchard  and  forest  trees  show  like  a 
pleasant  park.  To  the  northeast  of  "Verdant  Lawn," 
and  as  the  bird  flies,  perhaps  a  third  of  a  mile  away,  is 
"Monticello,"  the  home  of  Jefferson.  The  environment 
and  appointments  of  this  elegant  country  home  were  in 
keeping  with  the  house — "beautiful  grounds,  well- 
trimmed  hedges,  carefully  shaven  lawns,  and  comely 
walks."     The  farm  itself  consisted  of  some  1,200  acres. 

"Verdant  Lawn"  was  the  home  of  Rev.  Wm.  P. 
Parish.  He  was  born  near  Bowling  Green,  Caroline 
County,  Virginia,  Pebruary  7,  1797.  When  he  was  some 
twelve  years  old  his  father  died,  leaving  a  widow  and 
several  children.  Though  his  mother  was  a  thrifty 
housewife  and  the  head  of  the  home,  the  care  of  the 
family,  to  no  small  degree,  fell  to  young  Parish.  He  be- 
came a  successful  young  farmer,  married  Miss  Milicent 
Winn  Laughlin,  and  soon  after  this  moved  to  Albemarle 
County,  where  he  "established  himself  as  farm  manager, 
landowner,  and  farmer.  He  was  recognized  by  leading 
men  of  the  county  and  section  as  a  large-minded,  re- 
sourceful man  of  large  affairs,  becoming  manager  and 
owner  of  stage  lines,  hotel  property,  and  several  large 

76 


WILLIAM  P.  PARISH  77 

plantations,  all  of  which  he  operated  with  marked 
sagacity  and  success." 

The  dates  of  his  conversion  and  ordination  to  the 
ministry  can  not  now  be  learned,  but  in  the  later  thirties 
he  was  a  member  of  the  Charlottesville  Baptist  Church. 
During  the  pastorate  of  John  A.  Broadus,  Mr.  Farish 
Avas  the  largest  contributor  to  the  building  fund  of  the 
spacious  meeting-house  that  was  then  erected,  and  that 
was  used  by  the  church  until  a  few  years  ago.  While  his 
family  were  regular  attendants  of  this  church,  he  was 
not,  for  he  was  pastor  of  country  churches,  at  one  time 
these  four,  Milton,  B.  M.,  Hardware,  and  Freddy's 
Creek,  being  his  held.  He  was  also  pastor  at  one  time  of 
Mount  Eagle  and  Limestone  churches,  and  possibly  of 
yet  others.  He  was  most  regular  in  meeting  his  appoint- 
ments at  his  churches,  and  was  a  leader  in  the  Albemarle 
Association,  of  which  body  he  was  moderator  in  1844 
and  1856.  Indeed,  his  helpfulness  was  felt  along  Baptist 
lines  throughout  the  State.  Largely  through  his  gener- 
osity there  was  established  in  Charlottesville,  in  the 
forties,  a  Baptist  school  for  young  women,  with  Rev. 
S.  H.  Mirick  in  charge.  Some  ten  years  later  he  was 
most  influential  in  the  establishing  of  the  Albemarle 
Female  Institute,  at  whose  head  was  the  distinguished 
educator,  Mr.  John  Hart.  Another  evidence  of  his 
wealth  and  liberality  is  found  in  the  fact  that  once  he 
offered  to  give  Dr.  J.  B.  Taylor,  Sr.,  a  fine  farm  if  he 
would  accept  the  pastorate  of  the  Charlottesville  church. 

Mr.  Farish  was  not  a  great  preacher,  but  the  picture 
of  him  as  he  ministered  to  his  country  congregation  with 
scrupulous  fidelity,  and  held  high  converse  with  his 
brethren  in  the  ministry,  is  a  most  attractive  one.  Rev. 
Dr.  J.  L.  Johnson,  who  knew  Mr.  Farish  well  and  was 
often  an  honored  guest  at  "Verdant  Lawn,"  says  of  Mr. 
Farish :  "I  do  not  believe  that  he  himself  thought  he 
would  suit  the  pulpit  in  'First  Church,  High  Street, 
Corner  Quality  Avenue,'  but  there  were  and  are  now  all 


78  VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

sorts  of  people  in  Albemarle  County,  as  I  know  person- 
ally, and  the  'poor  ye  have  with  you  always,'  especially  in 
the  Ragged  Mountains.  These  all  needed  the  gospel, 
and  he  could  find  the  audience  that  he  would  he  helpful 
to  and  he  did.  I  suspect  that  in  some  cases  he  received 
little  or  no  pecuniary  compensation,  and  if  I  am  correct 
his  life  was  a  constant  testimony  to  the  Messiahship  of 
Christ ;  and  the  poor  have  the  gospel  preached  unto 
them."  Dr.  Johnson  thus  describes  Mr.  Parish  in  his 
home :  "His  princely  home  was  a  sort  of  Baptist  Hotel, 
and  far  and  near  Baptists  of  Virginia  knew  of  it;  but  I 
don't  believe  his  guests  enjoyed  receiving  his  hospitality 
as  much  as  he  did  dispensing  it.  Dr.  T.  G.  Jones,  of 
Norfolk,  was  an  old  student  at  the  University ;  when  long- 
years  afterwards  he  came  with  Broadus,  J.  B.  Taylor, 
Sr.,  and  Poindexter  and  Ouarles,  and  A.  B.  Brown  to 
ordain  to  the  ministry  four  University  young  men,  J. 
Wm.  Jones,  C.  H.  Toy,  J.  B.  Taylor,  Jr.,  and  J.  L. 
Johnson,  Dr.  Jones  set  off  at  once  to  the  home  of  his 
old  friend.  My  impression  is  that  half  of  the  preachers 
and  near-preachers  named  above  were  guests  at  the  same 
time,  making  a  gala  event  of  it."  The  picture  of  this 
preacher  and  his  home  is  made  yet  more  vivid  by  these 
further  words  of  Dr.  Johnson:  "I  can  not  speak 
definitely  about  the  calibre  and  qualities  of  the  man,  but 
one  can  make  quite  dependable  inference  when  he  hears 
that  Brother  Parish  was  a  great  Baptist,  living  and  pros- 
pering and  preaching  in  a  non-Baptist  atmosphere,  and 
taking  to  his  heart  and  home  such  men  as  John  A. 
Broadus,  A.  B.  Brown,  John  C.  Long,  George  B.  Taylor, 
John  Hart,  C.  H.  Toy,  A.  P.  Abell;  moving  about  and 
discussing  with  them  the  great  interests  of  the  day; 
cooperating  with  them  in  the  things  that  make  for  the 
betterment  of  the  community,  without  limiting  the  mean- 
ing of  the  word  community.  In  the  group  named  above 
may  be  found  piety,  intellect,  scholarship,  Christian 
activity,    and    other    highly    desirable    characteristics." 


•  WILLIAM  P.  PARISH  79 

The  pen  of  Dr.  J.  C.  Long  yet  further  sets  before  our 
eyes  this  genial,  hospitable  preacher:    "On  one  of  these 
occasions   I  overtook   William   P.    Parish   going   home. 
His   ruddy   face,   his   snow-white   hair,   his   strong   and 
vigorous   frame,  his  hearty  and  cheerful  voice  all   im- 
pressed me.     He  called  out  to  me  from  a  distance,  turn- 
ing on  his  horse:    'What  injury  have  I  done  you  that 
you  do  not  come  to  see  me?'     When  I  next  went  to  my 
Hardware  appointment  I  found  Mr.  Parish  there  before 
me,  and  I  went  home  with  him.     More  than  any  one  I 
ever  knew  he  had  the  art  of  making  a  man  feel  com- 
fortable  in   his   house.      There   was    no   overdoing   the 
matter,  but  somehow  he  always  made  me  feel  that  I  was 
doing  him  the  greatest  kindness  to  come  to  see  him.     I 
not  only  felt  free,  I  felt  rich.   Por  the  time  I  seemed  to  be 
the  owner  of  a  large  house  and  1,200  acres  of  land  every- 
thing about  me  was  mine  to  use  and  enjoy.     He  had 
traveled,  had  seen  many  men ;   he  talked  well  and  loved 
to  talk,  and  he  let  his  guests  talk  too."     While  "a  close- 
carriage,  drawn  by  a  span  of  shining  bays  and  driven 
by  a  dignified  groom,  waited  upon  the  will  of  the  family," 
if  you  met  Mr.  Parish  away  from  the  house  you  would 
see^  "mounted  on  a  mettlesome  charger  a  man  of  per- 
haps six  feet,  and  two  hundred  pounds,  with  attractive 
features  and  searching  eye,  who  looked  as  if  he  would 
enjoy  leading  a  squadron  of  cavalry  to  scatter  a  mass  of 
infantry.      A  cheery  greeting  would  be  yours,   and  he 
would  be  apt  to  point  in  the  direction  of  his  house  and 
say  something  about  the  string  being  still  on  the  latch." 
Mr.  Parish  never  had  but  one  child,  a  daughter,  who 
married  Rev.  John  T.  Randolph,  and  lived  on,  after  her 
father's  death,  at  "Verdant  Lawn,"  keeping  up  with  her 
husband   the   hospitable   traditions   of   the   home.      Mr. 
Parish  died  at  "Verdant  Lawn,"  October  29,  1869,  and 
his  funeral  was  conducted  by  his  pastor.  Rev.  Dr.  John 
C.  Long ;  but  surely  for  many  a  year  the  light  from  such 
a  life  as  his  rests  with  brightness  and  blessing  along  the 
pathway  of  other  men. 


RICHARD  HUGH  BAGBY 

To  follow  the  story  of  the  life  of  Richard  Hugh 
Bagby  it  will  not  be  necessary  to  go  from  city  to  city  or 
from  state  to  state.  Practically  his  whole  life  was  spent 
in  the  neighborhood  of  Bruington  Church,  King  and 
Queen  County,  Virginia.  Here  he  was  born  June  16, 
1820,  being  the  son  of  John  Bagby,  a  prominent  mer- 
chant at  Stevensville,  and  a  deacon  and  clerk  of  Bruing- 
ton Church,  and  was  in  the  fourth  generation  from  the 
immigrant  founder  of  the  family  in  Virginia,  who 
landed  in  Virginia  in  1628.  He  grew  up  to  boyhood 
and  youth  under  the  influence  of  Rev.  Dr.  R.  B.  Semple, 
the  pastor  of  Bruington,  whose  successor  he  was  to  be. 
At  an  early  age  he  became  a  student  of  the  Virginia 
Baptist  Seminary  and  while  there  he  was  converted.  Of 
his  conversion  and  baptism  we  have  an  account  in  his 
own  words.     It  is  as  follows : 

"I  entered  the  second  class  and  nothing  of  importance 
happened,  except  that,  from  my  entrance  at  the  Semi- 
nary, my  religious  impressions  increased,  and  my  views 
of  the  pardon  of  sin  through  Christ  grew  brighter  and 
clearer,  till  some  time  either  in  March  or  April — I 
regret  not  noting  the  exact  time — my  distress  on  account 
of  my  sins  was  so  great  that  I  gave  up  all  as  lost.  But, 
one  morning,  while  at  worship  in  the  chapel,  and  in  the 
act  of  prayer,  I  determined  to  give  myself  to  God — to 
work  for  Him  while  life  lasted,  and  to  trust  my  salva- 
tion in  His  righteous  hands,  hoping  to  be  saved  through 
the  riches  of  His  grace  in  Christ  Jesus.  I,  at  once,  felt 
relief,  though  so  different  from  what  I  had  thought  con- 
version to  be,  that  I  did  not  venture  to  hope,  till  reflec- 
tion and  efforts,  in  vain,  to  rid  myself  of  comfort,  con- 

80 


RICHARD  HUGH  BAGBY  81 

vinced  me  that  it  was  of  God.  It  was  a  month  or  more 
after  this  time  before  I  communicated  my  feehngs  to' 
any  person,  and  it  was  then  done  more  to  ascertain  what 
my  condition  was,  than  to  declare  my  own  hope.  At 
Whitsuntide,  I  returned  home,  and,  being  baptized  by 
Rev.  Richard  Claybrook,  I  joined  the  Baptist  church  at 
Bruington.  Soon  after  my  hope  of  a  change  was  felt, 
I  commenced  secret  prayer  three  times  a  day.  The  chief 
subjects  of  my  petitions  were  my  own  comfort  and 
perseverance,  and  the  conversion  of  twenty  of  my  un- 
converted friends  whom  I  had  selected  to  pray  for — a 
large  majority  of  whom  are  now  Christians.  Oh,  what 
encouragement  to  pray !  About  the  time  I  joined  the 
church,  as  is  usual,  my  zeal  and  warmth  of  feeling  were 
great,  and  I  was  rejoiced  above  measure  by  the  conver- 
sion, during  a  revival  which  commenced  on  the  day  on 
which  I  was  baptized,  of  several  for  whom  I  had  been 
praying,  and  whose  ridicule  and  persecution  I  had  boldly 
withstood." 

From  the  Seminary  he  went  to  Columbian  College, 
where  he  graduated  in  1839,  being  only  nineteen  years 
old.  This  institution,  in  1869,  conferred  on  him  the 
honorary  degree  of  Doctor  of  Divinity.  When  he  lef^ 
college,  as  has  been  true  of  many  a  young  man  who 
finally  became  a  minister,  his  purpose  was  to  be  a  lawyer, 
but  God  had  other  work  for  him.  On  November  21, 
1839,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Ann  E.  Motley,  who  made 
him  a  loving  and  most  helpful  wife,  who  survived  him; 
to  her  in  the  article  of  death  he  addressed  his  last  words : 
"Kiss  me,  my  wife,  kiss  me."  On  March  7,  1840,  he 
and  his  wife  united  by  letter  with  the  Mattaponi  Baptist 
Church,  since  it  was  more  convenient  for  them  to  go 
there  than  to  Bruington,  and  in  May,  1841,  he  was 
licensed  to  preach.  On  January  3,  1842,  he  was  or- 
dained by  a  Presbytery  composed  of  Elders  William 
Todd,  Wm.  Southwood,  and  John  W.  Hillyard.     A  few 


82  VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

days  later  he  was  invited  to  preach  for  Mattaponi  every 
fourth  Lord's  Day,  and  on  February  27th  he  accepted 
this  call.  On  December  10th  he  was  dismissed  from 
Mattaponi,  being  called  to  the  pastorate  of  the  Bruing- 
ton  Church.  In  the  early  part  of  the  following  year 
(1843)  he  took  up  his  pastorate  at  Bruington,  which 
Avas  destined  to  continue  until  July,  1870,  almost  twenty- 
eight  years.  During  a  period  of  two  years  he  was 
pastor  of  St.  Stephen's  Church,  he  and  the  church 
understanding  that  this  connection  was  to  be  only 
temporary.  While  almost  his  whole  life  was  given  to 
the  pastorate  of  one  church  this  was  by  no  means  the 
limit  of  his  sphere  of  service.  His  field  really  embraced 
all  the  surrounding  counties,  for  he  was  in  constant 
demand  "to  conduct  protracted  meetings,  to  preach  mis- 
sionary sermons,  to  address  Sunday-school  meetings,  to 
aid  in  ordination  services,  and  to  perform  various  other 
duties  incident  to  the  ministerial  office."  Indeed,  his 
brother  preachers  regarded  him  so  highly  that  some  one 
remarked  that  they  had  come  to  feel  "Aut  Cwsar  ant 
nullns." 

The  characterization  of  Dr.  Bagby,  which  follows,  is 
from  articles  by  Rev.  Dr.  A.  Broaddus,  from  which 
articles  most  of  the  facts  and  some  of  the  language  of 
this  sketch  are  taken : 

"The  intellectual  capacities  of  dift'erent  individuals 
may  be  compared  to  the  physical  features  of  different 
regions  of  country.  Some  minds  may  be  likened  to  a 
dead  flat,  whose  monotonous  surface  is  broken  only  at 
long  intervals,  by  a  clump  of  scraggy  bushes,  a  bunch 
of  worthless  weeds,  or  a  tuft  of  unsightly  sedge — minds 
that  never  rise  above  a  dead  level,  and  whose  barren  soil 
is  indicated  by  its  useless  products.  Other  minds  re- 
semble those  regions  in  which,  though  the  surface  is,  for 
the  most  part,  level,  yet  here  and  there  a  lofty  hill,  and 
sometimes    even    a    towering    mountain,    rises    abruptly 


RICHARD  HUGH  BAGBY  83 

from  the  surrounding  plain.  In  minds  of  this  order, 
while  the  larger  number  of  the  intellectual  faculties  are 
not  elevated  above  the  average,  one  or  two  traits  are 
developed  with  extraordinary  power  and  strength.  Still 
other  minds  find  their  likeness  in  a  'rolling  country,' 
everywhere  elevated — sometimes  swelling  into  gentle 
acclivities,  sometimes  rising  into  bold  highlands,  and 
sometimes  towering  into  lofty  mountains.  With  this 
last  mentioned  kind  of  intellect.  Dr.  Bagby's  mind  might 
fairly  be  classed.  Scarcely  one  of  his  intellectual 
cjualities  could  be  considered  merely  ordinary,  while  in 
not  a  few  of  his  mental  traits  he  rose  to  a  commanding 
eminence.  God  had  denied  him  the  gift  of  a  rich 
imagination.  He  could  draw  no  startling  images,  paint 
no  beautiful  pictures,  conjure  up  no  striking  scenes.  In 
lacking,  however,  a  fertile  imagination,  he  sustained  no 
serious  loss  as  a  preacher.  Such  an  imagination  may  be 
made  useful ;  but  it  is  probably  employed  more  fre- 
quently to  win  the  admiration  of  an  audience,  than  to 
illustrate  or  to  enforce  Divine  truth ;  and  it  is,  at  any 
rate,  always  a  temptation  to  its  possessor.  Brother 
Bagby  may  have  been  wanting,  too,  as  a  preacher,  in 
pathos.  This  gift  is  more  valuable  than  the  other,  and 
is  more  frecjuently  usefully  employed.  But  pathos  some- 
times degenerates  into  whining;  and  then  it  excites  the 
disgust,  instead  of  moving  the  feelings  of  the  judicious 
and  intelligent.  But,  though  Brother  Bagby  was  want- 
ing in  the  softness  and  tenderness  which  constitute 
pathos,  this  was  not  due  to  lack  of  feeling  in  himself, 
or  to  the  want  of  capacity  to  excite  it  in  others.  He  had 
a  great  heart,  and  a  warm  one.  He  was  a  hitrning,  as 
well  as  a  shining  light.  His  preaching  affected  the  feel- 
ings with  more  power  and  depth  than  tenderness.  It 
might  move  less  readily  than  the  preaching  of  some 
others,  but  it  moved  more  deeply  and  permanently.  But 
if  he  was  wanting  in  the  qualities  which  have  been  men- 


84  VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

tioned,  he  was  richly  endowed  with  others,  far  more 
important  and  vahiable.  Probably  his  most  prominent 
mental  characteristic  was  force.  He  was,  in  the  true 
sense,  a  pozverfnl  preacher,  for  he  spake  with  demon- 
stration of  the  Spirit  and  with  power.  No  bald  plati- 
tudes trickled  in  a  vapid  stream  from  his  lips,  but 
'thoughts  that  breathed  and  words  that  burned'  poured 
forth  in  resistless  torrent  from  a  perennial  fountain  of 
living  waters.  He  knocked  at  the  door  of  the  sinner's 
heart  with  no  soft  hand,  cased  in  shining  silk,  but  with 
the  mailed  fist  of  the  warrior,  under  whose  ponderous 
blows  every  fiber  of  the  portal  trembled.  This  force  of 
intellect  and  spirit  shone  forth  from  the  whole  man 
whenever  he  rose  in  the  pulpit  or  on  the  platform.  It 
could  be  heard  in  his  clear,  sonorous,  and  powerful 
voice,  in  the  nervous  Anglo-Saxon  words  that  fell  from 
his  lips,  and  in  his  earnest  and  impressive  emphasis.  It 
could  be  seen  in  his  unstudied,  significant,  vigorous,  and 
abounding  action.  It, could  be  felt  in  the  commanding 
power  of  his  bright  and  beaming  eye.  Nay,  this  quality 
seemed  to  pervade  his  most  trivial  actions,  and  its  in- 
fluence appeared  to  be  felt  even  by  the  irrational  animals 
wMth  which  he  had  to  deal.  His  very  grasp  of  the  reins 
impressed  a  horse  with  the  fact  that  he  was  under  the 
hand  of  a  master,  and  it  curbed  and  controlled  his  fiery 
spirit.  But  in  all  this  force  there  was  no  roughness  nor 
rudeness.  It  was  combined  with  unvarying  courtesy 
and  kindness,  and  not  unfrequently  with  a  tenderness 
which  won  the  heart  of  the  feeblest  child. 

"But  little  inferior  to  the  force  of  Dr.  Bagby's  in- 
tellect was  its  discriminating  capacity.  His  mind  was 
far  more  than  ordinarily  analytical.  He  could  trace  the 
connection  of  causes  and  consequences,  with  clearness 
and  precision,  and  detect  and  expose  sophistry,  though 
hidden  under  the  most  plausible  garb.  This  feature  of 
his  mind,  united  with  unusual  composure  and  self-com- 


RICHARD  HUGH  BAGBY  85 

mand,  made  him  a  match,  in  argument,  for  our  most 
skilful  debaters.  His  power  in  this  direction  was  tested, 
at  one  period,  by  an  oral  discussion,  on  the  subjects  and 
action  of  baptism,  with  a  minister  of  another  denomina- 
tion. With  the  result  of  that  debate  the  Baptists  had 
reason  to  be  more  than  satisfied;  while  the  voluntary 
testimony  of  his  opponent  to  his  courtesy  and  ability 
was  as  honorable  to  that  opponent  himself,  as  it  was 
gratifying  to  Brother  Bagby's  friends  and  brethren. 

"Dr.  Bagby's  mind  was  distinguished  by  unusual  com- 
prehensiveness and  quickness.  His  mental  vision  took 
in  the  whole  of  a  subject  at  one  view.  His  mind  grasped 
it  in  all  its  parts  at  once,  and  grasped  it  with  wonderful 
readiness  and  quickness.  He  was  not  (especially  in  the 
later  years  of  his  ministry)  a  student,  in  the  scholastic 
sense  of  the  term.  His  ardent  temperament  and  his 
energetic  spirit,  ever  seeking  expression  in  earnest  and 
vigorous  action,  would,  under  any  circumstances,  have 
rendered  the  sedentary  habits,  close  confinement,  and 
dreamy  life  of  a  mere  student  peculiarly  irksome  to  him. 
But  whatever  may  have  been  his  inclination  in  that 
direction,  his  situation  rendered  close  and  continuous 
study  utterly  impracticable.  There  are,  indeed,  very  few 
country  pastors  so  situated  that  they  can  be  close  stu- 
dents, and  he  was  certainly  not  among  those  few.  The 
numberless  interruptions  to  which  his  studies  were  sub- 
ject, the  numerous  and  urgent  calls  for  his  services, 
and  the  onerous  duties  of  his  position  as  pastor  of  a 
church  whose  membership  was  scattered  over  a  wide 
surface,  left  little  time  or  opportunity  for  reading  or 
study.  Happily,  however,  he  had  far  less  occasion  for 
these  than  most  men.  That  quickness  of  perception  and 
that  capacity  for  taking,  at  once,  a  comprehensive  view 
of  a  subject,  which  I  have  ascribed  to  him,  combined 
with  a  rare  power  of  mental  abstraction  and  concentra- 
tion, enabled  him  to  do  more  effective  studying  in  an 


86  VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

hour  than  many  men  do  in  a  day.  Not  a  few  of  his 
most  effective  and  acceptable  sermons  were  composed 
in  the  course  of  little  more  than  a  single  hour,  while 
seated  in  his  chamber  and  surrounded  by  his  flock  of 
romping  children. 

"Dr.  Bagby's  sermons,  as  might  be  supposed  from 
what  has  been  said  of  him,  were  methodical  in  arrange- 
ment, clear  in  their  statements,  forcible  in  their  argu- 
ments, and  fervent  in  their  appeals.  They  embraced  the 
whole  range  of  divine  truth,  including  the  doctrinal,  the 
experimental,  and  the  practical,  and  were  distinguished 
by  a  rich  variety,  which  made  his  preaching,  after  a 
pastorate  of  twenty-eight  years,  appear  as  new  and  fresh 
to  his  people  as  when  he  commenced  his  ministry.  But, 
whatever  might  be  their  variety,  a  single  vein  of  thought 
ran  through  them  all.  Whatever  might  be  the  topic  of 
a  discourse,  it  was  always  made  to  point  to  Christ. 
Hence  every  motive  was  fetched ;  here  every  argument 
was  founded.  Like  Paul,  he  determined  to  know 
nothing,  in  the  pulpit,  'save  Jesus  Christ  and  Him 
crucified.'  But,  superior  as  were  Dr.  Bagby's  intel- 
lectual qualifications  for  the  pulpit,  they  were  surpassed 
by  those  moral  and  religious  requisites  for  the  position, 
which  are  far  more  important  and  valuable. 

"Dr.  Bagby  was  conspicuous  for  courage  and  forti- 
tude. He  was  endowed  with  much  more  than  ordinary 
physical  courage,  being  noted  for  a  fimmess  of  nerve 
which  rendered  him  calm  and  collected  in  the  midst  of 
great  peril,  and  a  boldness  and  daring  which  made  him 
ready  to  face  the  most  threatening  danger.  But  he  was 
distinguished  by  a  far  higher  and  better  courage  than 
this.  He  was  eminent  for  moral  courage.  He  never 
hesitated  to  assume  the  sole  responsibility  for  his  own 
sentiments  and  actions.  He  never  failed,  when  the  occa- 
sion required  it,  to  declare  'all  the  counsel  of  God,'  let  it 
please  or  displease  whom  it  might.     He  might  be  de- 


RICHARD  HUGH  BAGBY  87 

iioiinced  as  a  sectarian,  a  bigot,  a  fanatic ;  he  might  be 
censured,  mahgned,  misrepresented ;  but  none  of  these 
things  moved  him  a  hair's  breadth  from  the  truth,  or 
caused  him  to  take  one  step  backwards.  Of  him  it 
might  be  said,  as  was  said  of  John  Knox,  that  'He  never 
feared  the  face  of  man' ;  but  he  united  with  the  courage 
of  Knox  nothing  of  his  harshness,  high  temper,  or  over- 
bearing spirit.  With  dauntless  courage  Brother  Bagby 
combined  enduring  fortitude.  Subject  all  his  life  to 
attacks  of  violent  pain  and  distressing  sickness,  he  main- 
tained a  cheerful  temper,  a  serene  spirit,  and  a  thankful 
heart.  Burdened  by  the  support  of  a  large  and  de- 
pendent family,  pressed  by  the  anxieties  of  the  pastorate, 
and  by  the  'care  of  all  the  churches'  (for  he  felt  a  lively 
interest  in  them  all),  he  never  yielded  to  despondency 
or  impatience.  Subjected  to  toils  and  hardships  to  which 
the  kid-gloved  ministry  are  utter  strangers,  he  'endured 
hardness  as  a  good  soldier  of  Jesus  Christ.' 

"Dr.  Bagby  was  remarkably  free  from  any  touch  of 
jealousy  toward  his  brother  ministers.  It  is  humiliating 
that  men  occupying  the  exalted  position  of  the  ministry 
should  be  found  entertaining  toward  each  other  a  little, 
low,  mean  spirit  of  jealousy.  But  there  are  such  men, 
and  not  a  few  of  them.  Their  jealousy  crops  out  in 
innuendoes,  belittling  remarks,  depreciatory  criticisms, 
and  slighting  insinuations  towards  those  whose  superior 
luster,  they  think,  'pales  their  own  ineffectual  fires.'  To 
such  a  feeling  as  this  Brother  Bagby  was  an  utter 
stranger.  So  far  from  depreciating  the  capacities  and 
excellencies  of  his  brethren,  he  was  inclined  to  magnify 
them.  His  delight  in  their  acceptability  and  usefulness 
sometimes  blinded  his  judgment,  and  induced  him  to  be- 
stow praise  w^here  it  was  scarcely  merited.  It  was  this 
feeling,  in  part,  which  rendered  him  so  noted  for  search- 
ing out  the  gifts  of  young  men,  encouraging  them  to 
cultivate  such  gifts,  and  urging  them  to  enter  the 
ministry. 


88  VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

"Dr.  Bagby  was  preeminently  a  man  of  truth.  He  be- 
lieved the  truth  he  preached — believed  it  with  all  his 
heart.  It  was  the  comfort  of  his  spirit  and  the  guide  of 
his  life.  He  understood  the  plan  of  salvation,  and  had 
embraced  it  with  the  most  unquestioning  and  childlike 
faith ;  and  hence  he  earnestly  desired  that  all  men  should 
thus  understand  and  embrace  it.  His  piety  was  of  the 
highest  type.  It  was  intelligent,  sincere,  pervasive,  con- 
stant, and  growing;  and  hence  his  path  was  that  of  the 
just,  'shining  more  and  more  unto  the  perfect  day.' 

"Dr.  Bagby's  manner  in  the  pulpit  was  grave,  serious, 
and  devout ;  his  style  of  speaking,  always  earnest,  often 
impassioned,  and  sometimes  vehement ;  his  gesture,  un- 
studied, energetic,  appropriate,  and  abounding;  and  his 
whole  bearing,  such  as  to  induce  the  conviction  that  he 
was  utterly  oblivious  of  self,  and  intent  only  on  impress- 
ing the  truth  upon  the  hearts  and  consciences  of  his 
hearers.  With  the  qualifications  for  the  ministry,  which 
I  have  ascribed  to  him,  it  is  no  wonder  that  Dr.  Bagby's 
preaching  should  have  been  unusually  effective.  While 
a  large  number  of  Christians  owe  their  intelligent  and 
correct  views  of  truth,  their  comfort,  usefulness,  activity 
and  growth  in  grace  to  his  faithful  teaching,  hundreds, 
it  may  be  thousands,  will,  in  the  great  day,  own  him  as 
their  spiritual  father,  and  contribute  to  the  brightness 
of  his  crown  of  rejoicing. 

"Admirably  as  Dr.  Bagby  was  qualified  for  the  pul- 
pit, he  was  no  less  fitted  for  the  pastorate.  Indeed,  I  am 
not  sure  that,  with  all  his  endowments  as  a  minister,  he 
was  not  a  better  pastor  than  a  preacher.  He  ruled  the 
flock  over  which  the  Lord  had  made  him  an  overseer, 
with  rare  judgment,  fidelity,  forbearance,  and  affection. 
He  was  ever  ready,  not  to  unite  with  others,  but  to  lead 
them  in  every  scheme  calculated  to  foster  the  graces  and 
to  promote  the  spiritual  welfare  of  his  people,  and  he 
was  ingenious  in  devising,  and  prompt  and  persevering 


RICHARD  HUGH  BAGBY  89 

in  executing    such  schemes.      The   Sunday  school,   the 
Bible  class,   the   prayer-meeting,    not   only   received   his 
hearty   sanction,  but   depended    for   their   efficiency  and 
success  on  his  own  personal  labors.     In  directing  the 
discipline  of  the  church,  he  was  distinguished  by  pru- 
dence,   patience,    promptness,    fidelity,    and    tenderness. 
But  it  was  in  his  intimate  personal  association  with  his 
people  that  his  excellence  as  a  pastor  was  most  signally 
displayed.     He  warned  the  unruly,  comforted  the  feeble- 
minded, supported  the  weak,  and  was  patient  toward  all 
men      He  visited  his  people  in  their  own  homes,   and 
manifested  a  lively  and  sincere  interest  in  their  temporal, 
as  well  as  their  spiritual,  welfare.     He  commanded  then- 
confidence  by  his  judicious  advice,  and  won  their  hearts 
by  his  tender  svmpathv.     In  his  pastoral  labors,  he  was 
no  respecter  of'  persons ;    or,  if  he  made  any  distinction 
in  his  ministrations,   it  was   in   favor  of   'God's  poor, 
whom  he  so  affectingly  commended  to  his  wife,  m  his 
dying  moments.     I  have  never  enjoyed  the  opportunity 
of  becoming  acquainted  with  the  pastoral  qualifications 
of  citv  preachers,  but,  without  designing  to  disparage 
others,  I  do  not  hesitate  to  say  that,  within  the  whole 
range  'of  my  acquaintance,  in  the  country,  there  is  no 
minister  who   can  bear  comparison,   as   a   pastor,   with 

R.  H.  Bagby. 

''Brother  Bagby  believed  neither  monkish  seclusion 
nor  puritanical  exclusiveness  to  be  acceptable  to  God  or 
to  be  consistent  with  the  spirit  and  teaching  of  the  New 
Testament.  He  believed  that  God  had  placed  ministers, 
as  well  as  Christians  who  fill  no  official  position,  m  the 
world  to  benefit  the  world,  and  that,  in  order  to  do  this, 
they  must  manifest  an  interest  in  its  affairs,  and  aid  m 
promoting  its  temporal,  as  well  as  its  spiritual,  welfare. 
Hence,  as  a  citizen,  he  was  prompt  to  give  his  influence 
and  support  to  any  scheme  calculated  to  benefit  the 
countrv      In  this  direction,  his  superior  talents,  sound 


90  VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

judgment,  and  high  character  were  invaluable  to  the 
community  in  which  he  lived.  In  the  wide  range  of  his 
acquaintance,  there  may  have  been  some  envious  per- 
sons, who,  like  the  man  that  hated  to  hear  Aristides 
always  called  'the  just,'  would  have  felt  a  malicious 
pleasure  in  finding  occasion  to  disparage  the  character 
of  a  man  of  such  high  reputation,  such  decided  opinions, 
and  such  untiring  activity  as  distinguished  Dr.  Bagby. 
If  there  were  such  persons,  they  sought  occasion  against 
him  in  vain.  In  all  his  business  transactions,  in  all  his 
intercourse  with  the  world,  in  all  his  varied  activities  as 
a  citizen,  not  a  spot  was  left  on  his  fair  name — nay,  not 
a  breath  of  suspicion  ever  dimmed,  for  a  moment  even, 
the  luster  of  his  shining  reputation. 

"In  the  inner  circle  of  domestic  life,  Brother  Bagby 
was  marked  for  excellences  no  less  commendable  than 
those  which  distinguished  him  in  public  positions.  Some 
ministers,  of  unquestionable  piety,  who  have  been  noted 
for  earnest  zeal,  arduous  labors,  and  extended  reputa- 
tion, have  been,  to  say  the  least,  defective  in  domestic 
virtues.  They  have  appeared  to  be  so  absorbed  in  public 
duties  as  to  feel  no  interest  in,  and  to  take  little  or  no 
care  of,  the  members  of  their  own  household.  It  was 
far  otherwise  with  Brother  Bagby.  He  manifested  as 
deep  an  interest  in  the  members  of  his  family,  was  as 
w^atchful  over  them,  and  sought  as  earnestly  their  com- 
fort and  welfare,  as  if  his  labors  and  duties  had  been 
confined  to  the  domestic  circle.  The  Scriptures  leave 
us  at  no  loss  as  to  the  feelings  we  should  cherish,  and 
the  course  we  should  pursue,  towards  those  connected 
with  us  by  family  ties.  They  require  master  to  'give  to 
their  servants  that  which  is  just  and  equal,'  husbands  to 
'love  their  wives  as  their  own  bodies,'  and  parents  not 
to  provoke  their  children  to  anger,  but  to  'bring  them  up 
in  the  nurture  and  admonition  of  the  Lord.'  These 
precepts  were  so  closely  and  constantly  observed  by  our 


RICHARD  HUGH  BAGBY  91 

loved  brother,  that  he  commanded  the  confidence  and 
gained  the  affection  of  his  servants,  and  won  the  undy- 
ing love  of  his  wife  and  children. 

"In  the  various  relations  of  preacher,  pastor,  citizen, 
master,  husband,  and  father.  Dr.  Bagby  was  distin- 
guished by  excellences  so  rare  and  admirable,  that  it  was 
difficult  to  decide  to  wdiich  of  these  positions  he  was 
best  adapted.  Should  we  seek,  in  the  Baptist  ministry, 
for  a  well-balanced,  admirably  constructed,  full-orbed 
character,  while  there  are  others  w4io  might,  with 
propriety,  be  chosen,  yet  we  would  make  no  mistake  in 
selecting  Dr.  Bagby  for  the  position.  Of  him  it  may 
assuredly  be  said,  with  more  truth  than  has  been  said  of 
some  others, 

•\Ve  ne'er   shall   look  upon  his   like   again.' " 

An  incident  in  Dr.  Bagby's  life,  which  occurred  dur- 
ing the  Civil  War,  is  described  as  follows  by  Dr.  A.  A. 
Rice:  "It  was  in  the  month  of  May,  1864,  that  the  con- 
script enrolling  officer  and  I  met  near  Bruington  three 
men,  one  of  whom  was  introduced  to  us  as  'Captain 
Bagby,  of  the  King  and  Queen  Home  Guard.'  .  .  . 
My  companion  told  me  how  Captain  Bagby,  single- 
handed,  had  taken  five  or  six  Federal  officers  prisoners. 
It  was  the  day  after  Dahlgreen  was  killed,  and  the 
majority  of  his  command  captured.  Several  of  the 
officers  had  escaped  and  had  taken  refuge  in  a  house 
some  three  or  four  miles  away.  It  happened  to  be  the 
house  on  Captain  Bagby's  plantation,  occupied  by  his 
overseer.  Notice  of  this  fact  w-as  brought  to  Captain 
Bagby  early  in  the  morning,  and  without  a  moment's 
hesitation  he  walked  over  to  the  house,  entered  the  room 
by  himself,  where  there  were  the  five  or  six  Federal 
officers,  as  well  armed  as  himself,  or  even  better,  for  he 
had  only  his  revolver,  and  said:  'Gentlemen,  lay  down 
your  arms;  you  are  my  prisoners,'  and  wuth  but  little 
hesitation  thev  surrendered." 


92  VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

In  1865  and  again  in  1866,  Dr.  Bagby  was  elected 
moderator  of  the  Baptist  General  Association  of  Vir- 
ginia, and  in  1870  that  body,  at  its  session  in  Norfolk, 
elected  him  to  the  position  of  Associate  Corresponding 
Secretary.  The  report  of  the  committee  that  recom- 
mended Dr.  Bagby  for  this  new  office  provided  that  he 
should  "devote  his  whole  time  to  promoting  the  general 
objects  of  the  Association  in  consultation  with  the 
Corresponding  Secretary  and  the  several  Boards."  He 
was  to  receive  a  salary  of  $1,500.  Dr.  Bagby  died  the 
following  October,  and  the  office  he  had  filled  was  not 
perpetuated.  Upon  his  election  to  this  work  he  took  it 
up  with  ardor  and  zeal.  After  a  summer  of  trying 
official  labor,  without  allowing  himself  any  rest,  he 
began  a  protracted  meeting  with  the  Alexandria  Church. 
He  became  sick  and  had  to  give  up  the  meeting.  Not 
long  before  his  death  he  said :  *T  clearly  fell  a  victim  to 
my  last  two  sermons  in  Alexandria.  I  ought  not  to 
have  preached.  The  brethren  told  me  I  ought  not.  I 
could  hardly  stand  up."  He  left  Alexandria,  hoping  to 
reach  home  where  his  loved  ones  might  minister  to  him, 
but  he  got  no  further  than  Richmond.  In  that  city,  at 
the  home  of  Mr.  W.  H.  Turpin,  after  an  illness  of  nine 
days,  on  Saturday  night,  October  29,  1870,  he  fell  on 
sleep.  His  words  during  this  illness  reminded  those  who 
heard  him  of  the  rapturous  language  of  Edward  Payson, 
as  he  anticipated  death.  He  requested  that  he  should 
be  buried  at  Bruington,  that  Dr.  A.  Broaddus  should 
preach  his  funeral  sermon,  and  that  these  words  be  in- 
scribed on  his  tombstone :  "Remember  the  words  which 
I  spake  unto  you  while  I  was  yet  with  you."  He  was 
survived  by  his  widow,  three  sons,  and  five  daughters. 


JOSEPH  STEPHENS  WALTHALL* 

If,  as  we  read  the  story  of  a  life,  however  humble,  we 
could  know  the  inner  workings  of  the  man's  heart  there 
would  be  room  for  the  consideration  of  the  most  abstruse 
philosophical  questions.  The  various  phases  of  the  life 
of  Joseph  Stephens  Walthall  have  suggested  the  forego- 
ing remark.  He  was  born  in  Prince  Edward  County, 
Virginia,  July  2,  1811,  the  youngest  son  of  John  and 
Catherine  Walthall.  Upon  the  death  of  his  mother, 
when  he  was  quite  young,  he  was  cared  for  by  an  aunt 
until  he  was  old  enough  to  be  returned  to  his  father's 
home.  Here  he  grew  up  and  received  his  primary  edu- 
cation. During  his  stay  of  a  year  or  so  with  his  older 
brother  in  Richmond  he  was  converted,  and,  on  May  8, 
1831,  baptized  into  the  fellowship  of  the  First  Baptist 
Church,  by  Rev.  John  Kerr.  He  now  attended  the 
theological  school  in  Powhatan  County,  conducted  by 
Rev.  Edward  Baptist.  This  school  was  the  root  from 
which  the  Richmond  Seminary  (now  Richmond  College) 
sprang,  and  from  Powhatan  he  went  to  the  Richmond 
school,  and  then  to  Columbian  College,  Washington, 
where  he  graduated.  After  his  ordination  he  was  pastor 
for  a  season  at  Columbus,  Miss.  Next  he  was  agent  for 
the  Baptist  Publication  Society,  and  then  became  a 
teacher  at  Richmond  College.  During  this  period  he 
married  Matilda  E.  Friend,  of  Chesterfield,  and  after- 
wards was  pastor  of  Bethlehem  Church  in  that  county. 
For  three  years  (1843-45)  he  was  moderator  of  the 
Middle  District  Association  and  twice,  in  1842  and  in 
1844,  the  preacher  of  the  introductory  sermon  before 
this  body.  Before  long  he  moved  to  Henrico  County 
and  there  ran  a  truck   farm.      Richmond  was  his  next 


*Based  on  Moore's  "History  of  the  Middle  District  Association." 

93 


94  VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

home,  and  here,  first  associated  with  Mr.  George  Watt, 
and  then  without  a  partner,  he  was  a  manufacturer  of 
plows.  He  next  came  back  to  preaching  and  was  pastor 
of  the  church  in  Newbern,  N.  C.,  and  then  was  associate 
editor  of  the  Baptist  paper  of  North  Carohna,  the 
Biblical  Recorder.  During  the  Civil  War  his  home  was 
in  Nottoway  County.  He  now  moved  to  Richmond, 
where  he  became  a  member  of  the  Grace  Street  Church. 
His  declining  health  made  it  impossible  for  him  to  do 
much  church  work  or  to  preach  save  occasionally.  He 
grew  more  and  more  feeble  until  his  death.  May  23, 
1870.  His  funeral  was  conducted  by  his  pastor.  Rev.  N. 
W.  Wilson,  and  the  burial  took  place  at  Bethlehem 
Church. 


PITTACUS  L.  RICHESON 

The  record  of  the  hfe  of  Pittacus  L.  Richeson,  so  far 
known,  is  brief,  yet  his  sphere  of  labor  seems  to  have 
been  twofold.  He  was  not  only  a  minister  of  the  gospel, 
but  also  a  physician.  He  first  united  with  the  Piney 
]\Iount  Church,  Amherst  County,  then  in  August,  1861, 
Avas  ordained  there,  and  in  1864-5  was  the  pastor  of  this 
flock.  Here  he  was  much  beloved  and  blessed  in  his 
ministry.  Failing  health  compelled  him  to  give  up 
preaching;  when  he  gave  up  preaching  he  moved  to 
Lynchburg,  and  engaged  in  business  for  a  time.  He  was 
a  Christian  gentleman,  of  earnest  piety,  with  a  loving,  re- 
tiring nature.  Long  a  sufferer,  he  was  cheerful  and 
patient.     He  died  September  3,  1870,  aged  forty-six. 


95 


JAMES  LOVETT  POWELL 

James  Lovett  Powell  was  born  in  King  William 
County,  Virginia,  in  180L  being  the  oldest  son  of 
Ptolemy  and  Sidney  Daniel  Powell.  Soon  after  his 
birth  his  father  moved  to  "Green  Level,"  a  farm  near 
Mount  Hermon  Church,  Spottsylvania  County.  Here 
young  Powell  was  reared  and  educated,  and  near  this 
place  the  rest  of  his  life  was  spent.  His  ancestry  was 
of  sturdy  Welsh  stock,  and  had  suffered  persecution  for 
conscience'  sake.  His  father,  who  w^as  an  active  mem- 
ber of  Mount  Hermon  Church,  died  in  1840.  Young 
Powell  was  educated  at  the  "old  field"  schools  of  his 
day,  sitting,  at  least  for  a  season,  at  the  feet  of  Rev. 
Herndon  Frazer,  now  of  sainted  memory,  then  a  young 
man.  In  early  life  he  was  apparently  indifferent  to  the 
claims  of  religion.  It  is  said  that  undertaking  once  in 
fun  to  preach,  his  own  sermon  made  such  an  impression 
upon  him  that  it  led  to  his  conviction  and  conversion. 
As  early  as  1830  he  felt  called  to  preach.  After 
seriously  considering  the  Cjuestion  for  some  time  he 
finally  declared :  "With  God's  help  I  dare  not  but  preach 
the  gospel  as  best  I  can."  He  was  soon  ordained  at 
Mount  Hermon  Church  by  a  Presbytery  of  which  Rev. 
John  C.  Gordon  and  Rev.  Jno.  A.  Billingsley  were  mem- 
bers. Although  he  never  had  the  advantages  of  a 
theological  training,  he  gave  much  time  to  the  study  of 
the  Bible,  which  was  in  his  opinion  the  Book  of  books. 
His  preaching  showed  his  familiarity  with  its  teachings. 
"His  manner  in  the  pulpit  was  quiet  and  conversational, 
and,  though  earnest  in  pressing  the  claims  of  the  gospel," 
he  rarely,  if  ever,  rose  to  impassioned  ardor  or  to  im- 
portunate fervor  as  he  sought  to  persuade  men.  The 
doctrine  of  election  occupied  a  prominent  place  in  his 
preaching,   and  he  seldom,   if  ever,  preached  a  sermon 

96 


JAMES  LOVETT  POWELL  97 

from  which  this  precious  doctrine  was  entirely  excluded. 
In  his  social  intercourse  religion  was  his  favorite  theme, 
and  he  talked  on  this  subject  so  naturally  and  with  such 
loving"  interest  that  all  seemed  to  enjoy  and  no  one  was 
repelled  by  it.  Among  his  brethren  and  friends  he  was 
a  genial  companion.  Li  1835  or  1836,  he  became  pastor 
of  the  North  Pamunkey  Church,  Orange  County,  and 
served  in  this  capacity,  except  for  one  year,  to  1857. 
About  the  same  time,  possibly  as  late  as  1838,  he  was 
called  to  the  care  of  Mount  Hermon,  and  served  that 
--nurch  for  some  twenty  years.  He  w^as  pastor  also  for 
several  years  of  Flat  Run,  in  Orange  County,  and  o{ 
Hebron,  in  Spottsylvania.  His  old  age  w^as  greatly 
saddened,  and  his  usefulness  much  impaired,  by  the  un- 
timely' death  of  his  two  beloved  sons.  Robert,  his 
youngest,  was  slain  at  the  battle  of  Cold  Harbor,  June 
27,  1862.  The  day  after  the  battle  of  Cedar  Mountain, 
August  10,  1862,  W.  T.  B.  Frazer  was  searching  the 
battlefield  for  loved  ones,  when  he  met  Mr.  Powell  look- 
ing for  his  son  John.  Soon  after  they  parted,  the  aged 
preacher  found  his  boy,  lying  with  his  face  to  the  sun, 
cold  in  death.  He  never  recovered  from  this  shock,  and, 
w^hile  he  continued  to  preach,  he  gradually  gave  way  until 
the  end  came.  He  died  in  February,  1870.  Another  of 
his  sons  died  w'hile  nursing  yellow  fever  patients  in 
Alabama,  in  1853;  yet  another  son,  James  L.  Powell, 
Jr.,  a  lawyer,  is  still  living.  Mr.  Powell  bore  a  part  in 
what  is  known  as  the  "Test"  cause,  though  not  so 
prominent  in  this  matter  as  his  brother.  Elder  W.  R. 
Powell,  in  a  sketch  of  whose  life,  in  this  volume,  a 
fuller  account  is  given  of  this  "Test"  movement.  The 
facts  for  this  sketch  have  been  furnished  by  Rev.  W.  J. 
Decker  and  Deacon  W.  T.  B.  Frazer,  of  the  North 
Pamunkey  Church,  and  in  some  cases  the  language  of 
their  papers  has  been  used. 


DANIEL  WITT 

Back  from  the  battles  of  the  Revolutionary  War  a 
certain  soldier,  named  Jesse  Witt,  made  his  way  as  best 
he  could  to  Bedford  County,  lying  in  the  shadow  of  the 
lofty  Peaks  of  Otter.  His  devotion  to  his  country  made 
it  necessary  to  use  crutches  the  rest  of  his  life.  With 
courage  he  went  to  work,  for  peace  hath  her  victories  as 
well  as  war,  to  make  a  living.  Presently  he  managed, 
by  rigid  economy,  to  buy  a  small  farm  near  what  is  now 
known  as  Bedford  City,  then  called  Liberty.  Since  his 
injuries  on  the  field  of  battle  made  work  out  of  doors 
impossible,  his  liking  for  books  was  the  more  developed, 
and  he  became  a  great  reader  and  a  remarkably  well- 
informed  man.  He  was  of  vigorous  intellect;  indeed, 
Dr.  Archibald  Alexander  declared  that  he  had  never  seen 
a  man  who  so  resembled,  in  mind,  Jonathan  Edwards  as 
did  Mr.  Witt.  His  wife,  Alice  Brown,  a  sister  of  Rev. 
Samuel  Brown  (who  with  five  of  his  sons  were  Pres- 
byterian ministers),  "the  very  image  of  modesty  and 
meekness  and  purity  and  piety,"  was  born,  lived,  and 
died  in  Bedford  County.  This  husband  and  wife  were 
people  of  piety  and  strong  Baptists.  The  family  altar 
had  its  place  in  their  home,  and  under  their  roof 
preachers  were  frequent  and  welcome  guests.  Into  this 
home  was  born,  November  8,  1801,  Daniel  Witt.  As 
he  grew  up  he  received  limited  educational  opportunities, 
his  early  school  days  scarcely  extending  over  three  years. 
His  knowledge  of  English  grammar  was  regarded  in  his 
day  as  remarkable.  At  one  point  in  his  career  his  uncle. 
Rev.  Samuel  Brown,  ofifered  to  take  him  and  have  him 
educated  with  his  sons.  This  offer  Mr.  Witt  refused, 
for  he  feared  that  the  influences  which  would  surround 
his  son  would  make  him  a  Presbyterian.     It  was  provi- 

98 


DANIEL  WITT  99 

dential  that  the  youth  had  to  leave  the  confinement  of  the 
school-room  and  go  to  work  in  the  open  air,  for  it  greatly- 
strengthened  a  constitution  that  was  naturally  frail. 
Doubtless  without  this  experience  he  would  have  filled  an 
early  grave. 

Until  the  fourth  Sunday  of  August,  1821,  nothing 
striking  had  occurred  in  the  religious  development  of  this 
young  man.  On  this  day  a  "section"  meeting  of  the  asso- 
ciation began.  It  was  a  protracted  meeting  in  which  cer- 
t?in  pastors  and  churches  took  part.  The  place  was 
^ Catcher's  Meeting  House.  To  reach  this  gathering 
young  Witt  had  to  ride  twenty  miles,  a  greater  distance 
from  his  home  than  he  had  ever  gone  before.  On  this 
occasion  he  met  for  the  first  time  a  young  man  who  was 
to  be  his  bosom  friend,  his  alter  ego  for  half  a  century. 
This  other  young  man,  also  a  native  of  Bedford,  J.  B. 
Jeter  by  name,  was  attracted  towards  Witt  by  hearing 
him  use  the  word  "circuitous,"  a  word  he  had  never  met 
with  before  and  which  impressed  him.  Religion  was  a 
serious  business  in  those  days  and  the  meeting  lasted  all 
day.  Elders  Davis,  Leftwich,  Harris,  and  Dempsey  being 
the  preachers.  Witt,  in  the  course  of  the  services,  greatly 
to  his  surprise,  found  himself  strangely  stirred  and 
moved  to  tears  as  he  had  never  been  before  in  his  life. 
He  was  "the  subject  of  new  and  strange  emotions."  In 
vain  he  sought  to  quench  this  flood  of  feelings.  He  hid 
his  face  on  his  companion's  shoulder.  Young  Jeter  was 
experiencing  a  similar  state  of  mind.  Before  the  day  was 
over  they  both  resolved  to  become  Christians.  Weeks, 
however,  passed  before  peace  finally  was  found.  This 
may  have  been  because  the  plan  of  salvation  was  not 
made  plain.  The  exact  date,  however,  of  his  deliverance, 
October  21,  1821,  was  ever  remembered.  The  parents 
hailed  this  event,  w^hich  was  the  beginning  of  a  spiritual 
quickening  for  the  whole  family,  with  joy.  On  the 
second  Lord's  Day  in  December,  1821,  with  ice  on  the 


100         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

water,  Daniel  and  Jesse,  his  brother  and  his  senior  by 
over  four  years,  were  baptized  into  the  fellowship  of 
Little  Otter  (now  Bedford  City)  Church. 

"Before  I  knew  it,"  wrote  Mr.  Witt  concerning  this 
period  of  his  life,  "I  had  become  a  preacher."  The  meet- 
ing at  Hatcher's  Meeting  House  had  been  followed  by  a 
genuine  and  general  revival.  Services  were  held  from 
week  to  week.  These  two  young  men  attended  assidu- 
ously, counting  it  nothing  to  walk  twelve  miles.  From 
the  hour  of  his  conversion  he  had  been  anxious  to  do 
something  for  Jesus,  who  had  done  so  much  for  him. 
When,  at  one  of  these  prayer-meetings,  Father  Leftwich 
asked  him  if  he  would  "pray  for  these  sinners,"  he  con- 
sented and  so  made  his  first  public  prayer.  Early  in 
January  he  made  his  first  public  address.  On  the  eleventh 
day  of  the  next  month  he  preached  his  first  sermon  from 
the  text :  "Unto  you,  O  man,  I  call,  and  my  voice  is  unto 
the  sons  of  men."  Two  months  later  his  church,  on 
April  13,  1822,  licensed  him  to  preach.  The  careers  of 
Jeter  and  Witt,  since  the  eventful  day  in  August,  had 
been  practically  parallel.  Now  they  began  to  preach  to- 
gether, having  one  sermon  between  them.  Almost  before 
they  knew  it  these  young  men  were  going  forth  to  preach 
wherever  a  congregation  gathered.  They  were  gifted 
and  they  were  young  too;  soon  crowds  were  attracted 
by  the  boy  preachers  as  they  were  called.  At  each  ap- 
pointment both  would  preach,  but  as  they  had  but  one 
sermon  between  them  he  who  came  first  had  the  distinct 
advantage.  This  matter  was  equalized,  since  they  took 
by  turn  the  first  place  on  the  programme.  The  one  who 
came  second  would  describe  his  effort  by  saying  he  had 
had  no  liberty  that  day.  Before  long  the  bounds  of  Bed- 
ford no  longer  limited  Mr.  Witt's  work,  and  his  voice 
was  ringing  out  with  the  gospel  message  in  the  counties 
of  Henry,  Patrick,  Pittsylvania,  and  Campbell.  In  the 
winter  of  1822-3,  his  fame  having  reached  Richmond, 


DANIEL  WITT  101 

he  was  invited  by  Mr.  Peter  Dupuy  to  visit  that  city.  He 
accepted  the  invitation  and  set  out,  not  a  dollar  in  his 
pocket,  on  his  journey  of  over  150  miles.  He  preached 
his  way  down  James  River,  visited  and  preached  in  the 
capital,  and  then  preached  his  way  back  home,  his  saddle- 
bags now  being  filled  with  books  and  money. 

Virginia  Baptists,  along  with  Baptists  all  through  the 
country,  were  awaking  to  life  and  organized  effort. 
Luther  Rice  was  working  far  and  wide  for  missions  and 
education  ;  he  loved  to  call  Virginia  his  home.  Upon  the 
organization  of  the  General  Association,  J.  B.  Jeter  and 
Daniel  Witt  were  appointed  as  its  first  missionaries,  and 
were  assigned  the  western  part  of  the  State,  including 
the  counties  of  Franklin,  Henry,  Patrick,  Montgomery, 
Grayson,  Giles,  Wythe,  Monroe,  Greenbrier,  Pocahontas, 
Alleghany,  Bath,  Rockbridge,  and  Botetourt  as  their 
field.  Where  meeting-houses  were  not  found  they 
preached  in  log  cabins  or  court-houses.  While  they  were 
most  cordially  received  by  people  of  all  denominations 
and  of  no  denomination,  conspicuous  for  kindness  and 
aid  to  the  young  missionaries  were  Rev.  Robert  Tisdale, 
who  had  recently  settled  beyond  the  mountains,  and 
Major  Pogue,  a  Presbyterian  layman  of  Greenbrier 
County.  The  second  preaching  tour  which  these  two 
friends  and  these  two  missionaries  took  was  through 
Eastern  Virginia,  where  in  all  their  journey  they  never 
failed  to  find  a  meeting-house  in  which  to  deliver  their 
message.  Now,  at  the  meeting  of  the  Board  to  which 
they  reported,  a  vital  question  presented  itself.  Luther 
Rice  offered  these  young  men  the  advantages  of  a  col- 
lege education,  but,  upon  the  advice  of  Drs.  Semple  and 
Broaddus,  the  offer  was  declined.  In  lieu  of  this,  Mr. 
Witt  studied  and  preached  under  the  direction  first  of 
Dr.  Semple,  and  then  of  Abner  W.  Clopton,  in  Charlotte 
County.  Preaching  seems,  however,  to  have  had  so  much 
attention  as  to  leave  little  time  for  arduous  work  over 


102         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

books.  While  Witt  was  learning  from  Mr.  Clopton  he 
may  be  said  to  have  proved  teacher  and  example.  Some 
years  before  this  Mr.  Clopton  had  been  greatly  impressed 
at  seeing  Witt  and  Jeter  refuse  wine,  on  an  occasion 
when  other  ministers  had  partaken  of  it,  for  it  must  be 
remembered  that  in  that  day  dram  drinking  was  common 
even  among  preachers.  Witt's  views  on  this  matter  were 
adopted  by  Mr.  Clopton,  who  afterwards  organized  the 
second  temperance  society  ever  founded  in  this  country, 
and,  so  far  as  he  knew  at  the  time,  the  first.  Mr.  Witt 
next  worked  in  Williamsburg,  having  the  counties  of 
Charles  City  and  Warwick  with  the  intermediate  terri- 
tory as  his  field.  Whatever  else  Mr.  Witt  accomplished 
here  he  records  two  things  he  did,  namely,  he  gathered 
a  few  scattered  sisters  into  a  prayer-meeting,  and  read 
the  New  Testament  through  on  his  knees.  His  ministry 
had  now  been  going  on  but  three  years,  but  he  was 
already  one  of  the  most  attractive  preachers  in  the  State. 
To  a  congregation  once  in  Franklin  County,  which  far 
surpassed  the  capacity  of  the  meeting-place,  he  preached 
with  such  power  that  when  he  finished,  weeping  and  sob- 
bing might  be  heard  throughout  the  audience.  Upon 
this  occasion  he  had  taken  off  his  coat  and  rolled  up  his 
sleeves,  but  this  was  a  common  custom  with  preachers 
in  that  day.  In  Richmond,  no  less  than  in  the  country, 
his  power  was  felt.  At  the  General  Association  he  and 
Noah  Davis,  pastor  of  the  Cumberland  Street  Church, 
Norfolk,  were  appointed  to  preach  on  the  Lord's  Day. 
Witt  preached  with  wonderful  power  and  pathos  on  the 
great  text:  "For  God  so  loved  the  world,  etc.,"  leaving 
his  congregation  "filled  with  wonder  and  bathed  in  tears." 
Mr.  Davis  followed,  keeping  his  appointment  as  best  he 
could,  but  it  was  impossible  for  him  to  sustain  the  in- 
terest. Dr.  Jeter  tells  of  another  occasion  in  Witt's  life, 
when  he  had  to  follow  Luther  Rice,  and  when  he  failed 
as  Davis    had  done ;    in  both  cases  the    second  sermon 


DANIEL  WITT  103 

ought  to  have  been  omitted.  On  July  9,  1824,  Mr.  Witt 
set  out  for  another  missionary  tour,  his  companion  now 
being  Rev.  James  Leftwich.  On  this  trip  Lexington, 
Greenville,  Staunton,  Harrisonburg,  Warm  Springs, 
and  Covington  were  among  the  places  visited.  On 
August  7th  to  8th  of  this  year,  at  his  home  in  Bedford, 
he  was  examined  and  ordained,  by  a  Presbytery,  to  the 
full  work  of  the  gospel  ministry. 

Some  uncertainty  seems  to  exist  about  the  exact  date 
and    length    of   Witt's    residence    in   Charlotte    County, 
V  nere   he   was    associated   with    Rev.    A.    W.   Clopton. 
liowever,  in  February,  1827,  he  preached  perhaps  at  the 
Ministers'   and  Laymen's   Meeting  of  the   Appomattox 
Association,  at    Sandy  River,  Prince  Edward    County. 
This  led  to  his  acceptance  of  a  call  to  the  Sharon  Church, 
at  Sandy  River.    So  began  a  pastorate  which  lasted  forty- 
five    years,    and    which   was    characterized    increasingly 
through  the  years  by  a  strong  love  between  shepherd  and 
flock.      The' neighborhood  of    Sandy  River  was  accus- 
tomed to  preaching  of    a  high  order.      The  presence  of 
Hampden-Sidney   College   not   far  away  had  given  in- 
tellectual tone  to  the  whole  section  of  country,  and  Sandy 
River,  a  free  church,  had  heard  in  turn,  Rev.  Dr.  J.  H. 
Rice,  of  the  Presbyterian,  and  Rev.  Matthew  L.  Dance, 
of  the  Methodist  Church.     Upon  accepting  the  call  to 
Sharon,  Mr.  Witt  purchased  a  comfortable  home  within 
a  mile  of  the  church.    Here  he  was  to  live  the  rest  of  his 
life  and  here  he  was  to  die.    The  story  of  all  these  years 
must  be  pictured  rather  than  written.     However  useful 
a  pastor's  life  may  be,  especially  that  of  a  man  who  stays 
for  decades  at  one  church,  and  that  of  a  country  pastor, 
it  is  not  eventful,  though  it  can  scarcely  be  called  monot- 
onous.    While    Mr.    Witt   preached    well    wherever    he 
preached  it  was  the  general  verdict  that  he  was  at  his 
best  in  the  Sharon  pulpit.     As  the  years  passed  on,  there 
were  not  many  unconverted  persons  in  his  congregation, 


104         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

for  the  reason  that  in  the  regular  course  of  his  ministry 
and  at  the  protracted  meetings,  sinners  were  reached. 
Dr.  A.  M.  Poindexter  once  remarked  to  Dr.  Jeter  that 
Witt  had  what  they  did  not  have  in  their  preaching, 
converting  power.  While  Witt  was  a  good  platform 
speaker  his  preeminence  was  as  a  preacher,  and  perhaps 
his  chief  power  in  the  pulpit  was  in  the  line  suggested  by 
Dr.  Jeter's  remark.  Dr.  Sydnor  thinks  that  Witt  was 
scarcely  as  effective  as  he  ought  to  have  been  in  the 
matter  of  training  his  people  in  Christian  benevolence. 
As  a  pastor  his  power  of  sympathy  and  tact  fulness  seem 
to  have  made  Dr.  Sydnor  feel  that  he  might  have  done 
larger  service  in  this  direction.  Dr.  Sydnor,  in  more  than 
one  season  of  sore  trouble,  had  received  from  Witt,  his 
friend  and  brother  pastor,  words  of  sympathy,  written 
and  spoken,  that  were  beautiful  and  helpful.  Mr.  Witt's 
labors  were  not  confined  to  Sandy  River  (Sharon).  He 
was  also  pastor  of  Jamestown,  Cumberland  County,  of 
Union,  Prince  Edward  County,  of  Lebanon  and  Republi- 
can Grove,  Nottoway  County.  Union,  Lebanon,  and 
Farmville  churches  regarded  Sharon  as  their  mother 
church.  The  Sharon  Church  having  spread  over  into  the 
adjoining  county  of  Nottoway,  it  was  natural  that  the 
Sharon  pastor  should  go  in  that  direction  to  preach.  So 
it  came  to  pass  that  the  people  of  Republican  Grove  heard, 
alternately,  the  Presbyterian  pastor.  Dr.  W.  S.  White, 
and  the  Sharon  pastor.  It  appeared  that  the  meeting- 
house belonged  to  the  Presbyterians.  They  willingly 
granted  their  house  to  the  Baptists  for  preaching,  but 
were  not  favorable  to  the  organization  of  a  Baptist 
church.  When  it  had  been  clearly  ascertained  that  the 
house  did  belong  to  the  Presbyterians,  Witt  led  the 
Baptists  in  the  erection  of  another  meeting-house  and  in 
the  organization  of  a  new  church. 

The  honorary  degree  of  D.   D.   was  conferred  upon 
Mr.  Witt  by  Columbian  College,  Washington,  D.  C.     In 


DANIEL  WITT  105 

other  ways  the  denomination  and  his  brethren  showed 
him  their  confidence  and  esteem.  He  presided  over  the 
Appomattox  Association  at  eleven  of  its  annual  sessions, 
coming  back  to  the  office  at  six  different  periods.  He 
was  moderator  of  the  General  Association  at  its  session 
in  1861,  at  Petersburg,  and  was  more  than  once  one  of 
the  vice-presidents  of  this  body.  While  he  did  not  often 
attf  id  the  Triennial  Convention  or  the  Southern  Baptist 
Cc  ivention,  he  was  in  hearty  sympathy  with  the  work 
of  these  organizations.  In  1844,  he  and  Dr.  Jeter  made 
an  extended  trip  to  the  North  and  West.  This  trip  was 
at  once  pleasant  and  profitable.  While  Dr.  Witt  had 
always  kept  in  touch  with  the  world  by  means  of  books, 
much  of  his  life  had  been  spent  apart  from  the  busy 
walks  of  men.  Upon  his  return  he  made  even  more  care- 
ful preparation  for  the  pulpit  than  he  had  ever  done  be- 
fore, and  began  for  the  first  time  the  preparation  of 
written  notes  for  his  sermons.  In  1845,  Dr.  Witt  was 
one  of  quite  a  large  party  of  delegates  who  journeyed  to- 
gether from  Richmond  to  Augusta,  Ga.,  on  their  way  to 
the  first  session  of  the  Southern  Baptist  Convention. 
From  Wilmington,  N.  C,  to  Charleston,  S.  C,  the  trip 
was  made  by  steamer.  The  rough  weather  encountered 
brought  so  many  of  the  party  to  the  horrors  of  seasick- 
ness that  Dr.  Witt  humorously  remarked :  "Captain,  put 
out  your  fires,  we  can  carry  the  boat  on  by  heaving." 

Dr.  Witt  was  blessed  in  his  family  life,  though  in  this 
sphere  he  had  some  sore  afflictions.  In  1829,  he  was 
married  to  Miss  Mary  C.  Cocke,  of  Cumberland  County, 
Rev.  Edward  Baptist  performing  the  ceremony.  This 
wife,  after  years  of  sickness,  died  in  1834,  leaving  one 
son.  In  1836,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  A.  Woodfin; 
she  died  in  1842.  leaving  two  sons,  James  and  Jeter.  In 
1849,  he  was  married  to  Mrs.  Mary  Ellen  Temple,  the 
sister  of  Rev.  J.  R.  Garlick.  In  the  process  of  time 
James,  a  son  of    the  second  wife,  was  married    to  Mrs. 


106         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

Temple's  daughter,  Mary  Lewis  Temple,  a  young  woman 
lovely  and  cultured,  but  within  a  year  she  died.  Her 
distressed  husband  abandoned  the  practice  of  law  to 
enter  the  ministry,  and  had  spent  a  session  at  the  semi- 
nary in  Greenville,  S.  C.,  when,  alas!  he  was  laid  low 
by  fever  and  soon  passed  away.  Jeter,  the  other  son  of 
the  second  marriage,  enlisted  in  the  cavalry  and  went  to 
the  battlefield,  but  while  at  home  on  a  furlough  was 
smitten  by  disease  and  soon  he  was  laid  to  rest  on  the 
hillside  beside  his  brother,  leaving  his  home  and  a  lovely 
young  woman,  to  whom  he  was  engaged,  to  mourn  for 
him.  The  only  son  of  the  third  marriage  was  Mr.  Sam 
B.  Witt,  who  is  now  judge  of  the  Hustings  Court,  of 
the  City  of  Richmond. 

More  than  once  Dr.  Witt  had  been  called  upon  to  pass 
through  serious  attacks  of  illness  that  brought  him  near 
to  the  gates  of  death.  For  years  he  had  been  the  victim 
of  a  disease  that  caused  him  much  discomfort  and  suffer- 
ing, but  this  trouble  did  not  cause  his  death.  He 
attended  the  General  Association  in  Petersburg  in  1871, 
where  he  was  in  fine  spirits  and  preached  with  great  ac- 
ceptance. During  the  summer  and  early  fall  he  was 
strong  and  well,  but  about  the  first  of  November  the  ill- 
ness which  was  to  end  his  life  came  upon  him.  It  was 
probably  intussusception  of  the  bowels.  The  progress 
of  the  trouble  was  slow  and  did  not  interfere  with  his 
devotions  or  his  conversation.  He  saw  and  talked  with 
many  of  his  friends  and  brethren,  and  rendered  clear 
testimony  as  to  the  preciousness  of  salvation.  In  these 
days  of  departure  he  gave  expression  to  many  beautiful 
sentiments,  such  as :  "My  highest  hope  is  that  I  may  die 
at  the  feet  of  Jesus  a  penitent  sinner,  saved  by  grace," 
and  "I  am  passing  over  Jordan  and  there  is  not  a  ripple 
on  the  w^ater."  He  died  at  his  home,  November  15, 
1871,  and  upon  the  wish  of  his  church  was  buried  near 
the  pulpit  where  for  so  many  years  he  had  proclaimed  the 


DANIEL  WITT  107 

message  of  eternal  life.  Within  a  short  time  after  his 
death  a  handsome  marble  shaft,  properly  inscribed,  was 
erected  by  Sharon  Church  and  other  friends. 

The  following  outlines  of  two  of  his  sermons,  abbre- 
viated from  his  own  notes,  will  be  of  interest.  Text: 
"But  now  they  desire  a  better  country  that  is  a  heavenly; 
wherefore  God  is  not  ashamed  to  be  called  their  God,  for 
He  hath  prepared  for  them  a  city."  Heb.  11:16. 
Intrj.  Nature  of  faith.  Triumphs  of  faith.  The  ob- 
jer  s  of  faith.  It  rests  on  divine  promise — overcomes 
the  world — looks  forward,  etc.  I.  Heaven  is  the  object 
of  devout  desire  to  every  pious  mind.  1.  It  is  a  reason- 
able desire.  2.  It  is  a  spiritual  desire.  3.  It  is  a 
supreme  desire.  4.  It  is  an  active  desire.  II.  This 
devout  desire  meets  with  divine  approval  and  secures  the 
divine  reward.  1.  With  the  divine  approval.  (1)  God 
definitely  exalted  above  them.  (2)  We  are  sinners. 
Still  He  is  not  ashamed  to  be  called  their  God.  He  is 
their  God.  (1)  Object  of  their  adoration.  (2)  Source 
of  their  happiness.  (3)  Their  safety.  (4)  His  attri- 
butes keep  them.  2.  Secures  divine  reward.  ( 1 ) 
Heaven  is  a  place.  (2)  It  is  a  state.  Application.  1. 
To  those  who  desire  the  better  country.  ( 1 )  Seek  ac- 
quaintance with  this  country.  (2)  Cherish  a  warm 
desire  for  this  happy  land.  2.  To  the  wretched  lover  of 
this  world  who  has  no  desire  for  the  better  country.  To 
be  pitied.  Urged  to  seek  and  strive.  The  other  sermon 
is  on  the  text :  "So  that  they  are  without  excuse."  Rom. 
1 :20.  Object  of  sermon  to  show  fallacy  of  the  excuses 
of  irreligious  persons.  Excuses  noticed :  I.  Want  of 
Light.  II.  Want  of  Ability.  III.  Want  of  Feeling. 
IV.  Want  of  Time.     V.  Want  of  Opportunity. 


JAMES  B.  TAYLOR 

Upon  the  death  of  James  B.  Taylor,  his  hfelong 
friend,  Dr.  Jeter,  in  an  estimate  of  his  character,  said : 
"Of  all  the  Baptist  ministers  of  his  time  in  the  State  of 
Virginia,  he  has  the  fairest  prospect  of  being  known  to 
future  generations."  Over  forty  years  have  passed 
since  James  B.  Taylor  departed  this  life,  yet  his  memory 
is  still  green  in  our  Southern  Zion,  and  his  name  a  house- 
hold word  among  Virginia  Baptists.  Dr.  Jeter's 
prophecy,  which  had  reference  to  an  immortality  based 
on  literary  productions,  seems  to  be  having  a  wider  ful- 
filment. Truly  "the  righteous  shall  be  had  in  everlast- 
ing remembrance." 

Although  a  full  life  of  James  B.  Taylor  has  been 
written  and  had  wide  circulation,  it  is  preeminently  fit- 
ting that  in  a  Third  Series  of  Virginia  Baptist  Ministers, 
a  work  which  he  began,  there  should  be  a  sketch  of  his 
life;  nay  this  volume  without  such  a  sketch  w'ould  be 
deficient.  What  follows  is  almost  wholly  derived  from 
the  book  just  referred  to,  no  attempt  at  originality  being 
necessary  or  possible. 

James  Barnett  Taylor  was  born  at  Barton-upon- 
Humber,  Lincolnshire,  England,  March  19,  1804,  his 
parents  being  George  Taylor  and  Chrisanna  Barnett. 
George  Taylor,  though  a  cabinetmaker,  had  an  insatiable 
thirst  for  knowledge,  and  was  passionately  fond  of 
books.  It  was  his  delight  to  walk  out  into  the  country 
at  break  of  day,  book  in  hand,  and  when  the  lark  sprang 
up  singing  in  its  flight,  he  would  throw  himself  upon  his 
back  watching  and  listening  until  song  and  songster  were 
lost  in  "the  blue  deep."  His  wife  excelled  in  energy, 
method,  and  administrative  ability,  traits  which  he 
lacked,  and  for  the  lack  of  which  he  was  never  success- 

108 


JAMES  B.  TAYLOR  109 

ful,  rather  the  reverse,  in  his  financial  affairs.  In  1805, 
George  Taylor  and  wife  took  ship  for  America,  to  try 
their  fortunes  in  the  home  of  the  free  across  the  seas. 
The  voyage  was  eventful.  A  British  man-of-war  bore 
down  upon  their  vessel  and  Mr.  Taylor  with  others  was 
seized  by  the  press-gang  for  service  in  the  war  against 
France.  In  the  transfer  from  the  merchantman,  Mrs. 
Taylor  fell  into  the  ocean,  but  fortunately  was  rescued 
uninjured.  Before  long  the  man-of-war  crossed  the 
path  of  another  vessel  bound  for  America.  Perhaps  it 
had  become  evident  that  wife  and  babe  would  render 
Mr.  Taylor  of  little  use  for  military  service.  At  any 
rate  the  trio  was  transferred  once  more  and  allowed  to 
resume  their  westward  journey.  When  they  reached 
New  York  the  city  was  being  ravaged  by  the  yellow 
fever.  Yet  this  ill  wind  blew  the  new  settler  good,  as  it 
gave  him  full  scope  to  work  at  his  trade,  and  thus  to 
gain  a  foothold  in  his  adopted  land. 

The  twelve  years  which  the  family  spent  in  New  York 
were  full  of  formative  events  for  the  subject  of  this 
sketch.  It  was  through  him  that  his  father  became  a 
Christian.  On  a  Sunday  afternoon  stroll  the  child, 
attracted  by  the  music,  begged  to  go  into  a  church  they 
were  passing.  Mr.  Taylor,  who  up  to  this  time  had  in- 
clined towards  infidelity,  was  touched  by  the  sermon  and 
before  long  converted.  "A  little  child  shall  lead  them." 
Young  James,  in  his  thirteenth  year,  with  several  boy 
friends,  held  prayer-meetings  at  each  other's  houses,  and 
finally  they  went  in  a  body  to  the  preacher  for  instruc- 
tion and  advice.  James  was  converted  soon  afterwards 
and  baptized  into  the  fellowship  of  the  First  Baptist 
Church.  As  at  that  time  the  Baptist  Church  had  no  Sun- 
day school  he  attended  the  one  in  the  John  Street  Metho- 
dist Church,  where  he  received  deep  and  blessed  religious 
impressions,  and  where  he  learned  by  heart  large  por- 
tions of    God's  word,  also    Pope's  "Messias,"  which  he 


no         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

recited  on  some  public  occasion.  During  these  years, 
Mrs.  Taylor  being  far  from  strong  and  the  family  in- 
come small,  it  fell  to  the  lot  of  young  James  to  do  much 
sick-room  and  household  service.  This  yoke  in  his 
youth  began  the  development  of  many  valuable  traits  of 
character  which  so  distinguished  him  and  blessed  others 
in  his  mature  and  later  life. 

Many  men  pass  their  boyhood  days  in  the  country; 
those  of  their  youth  and  early  manhood  in  the  city.  This 
v^as  to  be  reversed  in  the  case  of  young  Taylor.  His 
father  moved  in  1817  to  Virginia.  The  next  nine  years 
were  spent  in  Mecklenburg  and  Granville  counties, 
the  former  being  in  the  Old  Dominion,  the  latter  in  the 
Old  North  State.  Here  young  Taylor  used  to  the  best 
advantage  his  limited  opportunities  to  secure  an  edu- 
cation, and  here  at  the  age  of  sixteen  he  began  to  exer- 
cise his  gifts  by  speaking  in  public  for  Christ.  He  would 
frequently  walk  six  miles  to  Bufifalo  meeting-house  to 
conduct  a  service  at  night.  Realizing  his  insufficiency 
for  the  great  work  to  which  he  felt  himself  called,  every 
spare  hour  was  devoted  to  devouring  all  the  standard 
works  of  the  language  which  were  available.  He  was 
at  pains  to  improve  himself  in  every  way  he  could,  and 
the  neatness  and  plainness  of  his  penmanship  dated  from 
his  perseverance  and  patience  at  this  period.  He  was 
licensed  to  preach  in  1824,  and  ordained  at  Sandy  Creek, 
Charlotte  County,  May  2,  1826,  the  Presbytery  consist- 
ing of  Elders  William  Richards,  Silas  Shelbourne,  and 
Pleasant  Barnes. 

At  the  Meherrin  Association,  in  April,  1825,  he  met 
for  the  first  time  J.  B.  Jeter,  and  here  their  friendship, 
which  was  to  last  forty-five  years,  began.  They  met 
again  the  next  year  in  Richmond  at  the  third  session  of 
the  General  Association  (when  Mr.  Taylor  was  ap- 
pointed as  a  missionary  of  the  Board),  and  soon  after- 
wards   made    a    preaching    tour    together.      Dr.    Jeter 


JAMES  B.  TAYLOR  111 

described  this  trip  afterwards  as  "an  occasion  in  their 
lives,"  and  speaks  of  the  wonderful  abihty  with  which 
his  companion  preached,  considering  his  opportunities, 
in  this  the  very  commencement  of  his  ministry.  After 
six  months'  work  Mr.  Taylor  resigned  as  missionary,  but 
continued  in  Dinwiddie  engaged  in  preaching  and  study ; 
sending  occasional  articles  to  the  Columbian  Star,  of 
Washington. 

In  1826,  a  call  was  received  to  the  pastorate  of  the 
Second  Baptist  Church,  in  Richmond.  At  first  he  con- 
sidered an  acceptance  of  the  call  out  of  the  question  and 
would  have  thought  as  soon  of  going  to  the  moon. 
When  he  was  urged  to  come,  in  order  to  put  an  end  to 
the  matter  he  arranged  to  take  a  horseback  trip  to 
Georgia.  God,  however,  blocked  the  road  to  Georgia 
and  led  to  Richmond.  Mr.  Taylor  was  induced  by 
Deacon  Crane  to  stop  and  labor  with  them  a  Httle  while, 
which  little  while  stretched  out  to  thirteen  years — years 
full  of  moment  for  the  church  and  for  the  pastor.  In 
this  decade  and  a  third  the  Second  Church,  from  being 
a  weak,  discouraged  band  of  less  than  twoscore,  came  to 
be  a  vigorous  body  four  hundred  strong,  known  far  and 
wide  for  her  zeal  and  liberality;  and  the  pastor,  from 
being  almost  a  tyro,  took  rank  as  a  leader  among  his 
brethren. 

It  was  soon  evident  that  the  young  preacher  was  a 
born  pastor.  The  poor,  the  stranger,  the  afflicted,  nay, 
all  classes,  were  remembered  in  his  round  of  visits,  and 
soon  the  old  adage  "a  house-going  pastor  makes  a 
church-going  people"  was  fully  verified.  Years  after 
this,  Dr.  J.  A.  Broadus  declared  that  he  possessed  in  a 
remarkable  degree  the  somewhat  rare  talent  for  making 
short  and  profitable  religious  visits.  At  this  time  he  had 
begun  to  use  and  develop  this  talent.  His  pastoral  visit- 
ing was  not  with  him  a  perfunctory  work,  on  the  con- 
trary, since  he  felt  a  genuine  interest  in  human  beings,  it 


112         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

became  a  real  pleasure ;  in  his  later  years  almost  a  pas- 
sion. Nor  did  his  pastoral  work  end  with  his  visits. 
Everything  that  concerned  his  people  concerned  him,  and 
in  all  manner  of  ways  he  strove  to  help  them.  So  it  was 
that  he  constantly  strove  to  circulate  the  Religious 
Herald,  tracts,  and  good  books  among  his  people.  So  it 
was  that  he  was  interested  himself  and  sought  to  inter- 
est his  people  in  all  missionary  and  educational  matters. 
Soon  the  church  enjoyed  a  gracious  revival  and  some 
sixty  were  added  to  the  membership.  Thus  the  work  of 
growth  began,  growth  not  alone  in  numbers,  but  also  in 
grace;  for  months  after  the  ingathering  all  the  converts, 
he  thought,  "were  steadfast  and  growing  Christians." 

Soon  after  going  to  Richmond,  on  October  30.  1828, 
Mr.  Taylor  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  Williams,  of 
Beverly,  Mass.  The  union  thus  formed  lasted  forty- 
three  years,  his  wife  proving  a  helpmeet  indeed.  Be- 
ginning married  life  on  a  small  salary,  and  realizing  that 
many  a  minister  brings  disgrace  on  the  cause  of  Christ 
by  carelessness  in  money  matters,  Mr.  Taylor  and  his 
wife  resolved  upon  a  "rigid  economy,"  and  that  they 
would  avoid  debt.  Thus  habits  were  formed  which  to- 
gether with  a  talent  for  affairs  enabled  him  to  give  liber- 
ally and  largely  to  benevolent  objects,  to  purchase  a 
home,  and  in  the  course  of  years  to  accumulate  a  modest 
fortune.  The  Second  Church,  with  such  an  example, 
became  famous  for  its  liberality  to  missions.  He  was, 
Dr.  Jeter  declared,  of  all  the  men  he  had  intimately 
known  the  most  liberal.  When  pressed  for  money  and 
forced  even  to  borrow,  he  never  diminished,  as  many  do 
under  such  circumstances,  his  gifts.  He  saved  that  he 
might  give,  and  the  promise  "the  liberal  soul  shall  be 
made  fat"  was  fulfilled ;  "there  is  that  scattereth  yet 
increaseth." 

The  variety  and  multiplicity  of  his  labors  astound  one. 
Not  in  any  way  neglecting  his  own  church  he  managed 


JAMES  B.  TAYLOR  113 

to  broaden  the  sphere  of  his  activity  and  usefulness  far 
beyond  the  Hmits  of  his  own  congregation.  Within  the 
city  he  fostered  mission  Sunday  schools,  which  in  time 
came  to  be  churches.  Into  the  regions  round  about 
he  went  quite  often  to  preach,  in  some  cases  having  to 
make  a  "forced  march"  to  be  back  at  his  own  church 
for  the  Sunday  services.  Then  he  was  in  the  habit  of 
making  more  extended  evangelistic  tours  throughout  the 
State,  undergoing  all  manner  of  fatigue  and  exposure, 
riding  mile  after  mile  on  horseback  or  in  the  stage  coach, 
frequently  losing  meals  and  sleep  to  fill  numerous  ap- 
pointments. 

When  it  is  remembered  that  he  was  by  no  means  a 
strong  man,  the  wonder  is  that  he  could  do  so  much.  He 
was  regular  in  his  habits,  observant  of  the  laws  of  health, 
abstemious  in  his  eating,  a  great  believer  in  fresh  air,  so 
his  physician  declared  that  he  had  "an  improving  con- 
stitution." Added  to  all  this  was  the  fact  that  he  was 
systematic  in  his  work;  careful  not  to  waste  "time,  the 
stuff  that  life  is  made  of."  In  his  diary,  which  was  kept 
almost  uninterruptedly  from  early  manhood  very  nearly 
to  the  day  of  his  death,  occur  quite  often  scheclules  ar- 
ranging certain  duties  for  certain  hours  and  certain  days. 
He  believed  in  having  a  plan  in  all  his  work,  and  Dr. 
Poindexter  said  that  "his  plans  were  like  some  thor- 
oughly adjusted  and  well-oiled  machinery  which  worked 
right  on  to  the  destined  end."  He  knew  how  to  utilize 
odd  moments  of  time,  for  the  writing  of  a  letter,  for  the 
paying  of  a  visit.  Though  working  slowly,  perhaps,  his 
work  was  always  done  well,  and  did  not  need  to  be  done 
over.  Not  only  work  as  such,  but  his  Master's  work 
was  ever  uppermost  in  his  mind,  and  few  men  have 
known  better  than  he  how  to  speak  a  word  in  season  for 
Jesus.  His  work  outside  of  Richmond  added  strength 
to  his  church;  a  young  man  converted  under  one  of  his 
sermons  in  the  country,  would  naturally  seek  the  Second 


114         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

Church  as  his  spiritual  home  when  he  moved  to  the  city 
to  live.  So  in  spiritual  things  it  was  true  that  increase 
comes  by  scattering. 

In  1830,  he  and  his  friend  Jeter  had  the  satisfaction 
of  seeing  set  on  foot  the  Education  Society  which  led 
to  the  establishment  of  Richmond  College  and  almost 
untold  blessings  to  Virginia  Baptists.  Many  opposed 
the  movement,  but  the  organization  was  virtually 
effected  "on  Monday  morning  at  five  o'clock  . 
at  the  Second  Baptist  meeting-house."  Mr.  Taylor  in  a 
letter  to  his  father  assured  him  that  no  act  of  his  life  had 
given  him  more  satisfaction.  A  few  years  later,  with 
the  consent  of  his  church,  he  went  out  on  a  gratuitous 
agency  to  secure  funds  for  the  purchase  of  the  present 
site  of  Richmond  College,  a  trip  which,  though  labori- 
ous, was  quite  successful.  In  1836,  he  was  elected 
moderator  of  the  General  Association,  which  office  he 
filled  for  about  twenty  years.  In  the  same  year  he 
preached  the  annual  sermon  before  the  American  Sun- 
day-school Union,  his  subject  being  the  "Responsibilities 
and  Duties  of  the  Age."  About  this  time  the  Union  had 
sought  to  secure  his  services  as  their  general  Southern 
agent,  and  the  Home  Mission  Society  wanted  him  to  go 
as  their  representative  to  Illinois. 

In  the  winter  of  1831-2,  Richmond  was  blessed  with 
a  revival  of  such  power  that  its  influence  was  felt  far 
out  in  the  surrounding  country.  All  denominations 
had  large  accessions,  the  First  Church  receiving 
about  500,  200  being  whites.  In  the  spring  the 
people  were  excited  by  the  preaching  of  Alexander 
Campbell,  seventy-five  leaving  the  First  Church  in  a 
body  to  follow  him.  The  summer  of  this  same  year  the 
city  was  visited  by  the  cholera.  All  of  these  things  im- 
posed new  labors  and  new  responsibilities  on  the  already 
busy  pastor.  He  was  quite  ill  himself,  and  even  after  his 
recovery  continued  so   feeble  that  he  was  strongly  in- 


JAMES  B.  TAYLOR  115 

clined  to  resign.  His  members,  however,  would  not  con- 
sent to  this,  so  we  find  him  buying  a  horse  that  he  might 
have  more  exercise,  and  pressing  on  with  his  work. 

In  1839,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  left  Richmond  to 
become  chaplain  at  the  University  of  Virginia,  Rev. 
Robert  Ryland  having  been  the  first  and  he  being  the 
second  Baptist  to  occupy  this  position.  His  sojourn  here 
(at  this  time  the  chaplaincy  lasted  one  year,  not  two 
as  it  did  later),  besides  giving  him  opportunity  for 
study  such  as  a  busy  pastorate  had  not  allowed,  afforded 
him  time  to  write,  at  the  request  of  the  Trustees  of 
Columbian  College,  the  memoir  of  Luther  Rice.  This 
book,  Mr.  Frederick  Coleman,  well  known  as  the 
principal  of  Hanover  Academy,  declared  to  be  the  best 
memoir  he  had  ever  read.  This  was  not,  however,  Mr. 
Taylor's  debut  as  an  author;  in  1837,  he  had  given  to 
the  world  the  first  series  of  "Virginia  Baptist  Ministers," 
a  volume  of  about  500  pages,  which  had  a  good  sale 
throughout  the  South,  its  circulation  in  Virginia  being 
very  large.  The  life  at  the  University,  with  its  social 
companionship,  its  literary  atmosphere,  its  surrounding 
hills  and  mountains  inviting  to  pleasant  tramps,  its 
books,  its  lectures,  was  found  very  delightful  and  very 
helpful;  upon  the  religious  life  of  the  place  he  made  his 
impress,  the  weekly  prayer-meeting  among  the  profes- 
sors and  their  families  having  been  established  during 
his  chaplaincy. 

The  chaplaincy  at  the  University  was  followed  by  a 
return  to  Richmond,  to  be  pastor  of  the  Third  Church, 
which  a  few  years  before  had  gone  out  as  a  colony  from 
the  Second  Church.  Here,  as  at  his  first  church,  foun- 
dation work  had  to  be  done ;  that  it  was  done  well  sub- 
sequent years  give  abundant  proof.  During  the  six 
years  of  his  pastorate,  a  commodious  meeting-house  was 
built  on  the  spot  where  stands  to-day  the  new  Grace 
Street  Church.     The  church  was  not  strong,  and  after 


116         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

they  had  clone  their  best  a  load  of  debt  remained.  The 
pastor,  by  personal  appeal,  secured  much  help  from  per- 
sons outside  his  own  congregation  and  denomination, 
and  to  do  this  we  see  him  plodding  patiently  from  place 
to  place,  in  rain  and  sunshine,  appealing  in  such  a  way 
that  few  if  any  could  refuse  him.  In  this  way  the  debt 
was  more  promptly  removed  than  any  had  dared  hope 
would  be  possible.  Mr.  Taylor's  work  as  a  pastor,  which 
he  loved  so  well,  was  to  end  with  his  six  years  at  the 
Third  Church.  In  1845,  the  Southern  Baptist  Conven- 
tion was  organized,  its  Foreign  Mission  Board  being 
located  in  Richmond. 

Mr.  Taylor  was  elected  to  be  the  corresponding  secre- 
tary of  this  Board.  He  sought  to  know  the  path  of  duty 
and  declined  the  position.  The  next  year  he  was  again 
chosen  as  the  man  of  all  others  to  fill  the  place.  His 
love  and  zeal  for  missions,  his  success  in  training  his 
own  churches  to  give,  his  familiarity  with  the  work,  his 
ability  as  an  organizer  and  leader,  his  consecrated  life, 
his  sound  judgment,  the  confidence  and  esteem  in  which 
he  was  held  by  the  brotherhood,  all  these  things  pointed 
to  him.  in  the  opinion  of  the  convention  as  the  one  to 
shape  the  policy  and  direct  the  work  of  the  Southern 
Baptists  in  foreign  lands.  It  was  hard  to  turn  away 
from  work  so  congenial  as  that  in  which  he  was  engaged, 
and  in  which  he  had  been  so  successful,  to  one  new  and 
unknown,  full  of  crushing  labors  and  responsibilities.  At 
last  persuaded  that  the  voice  of  the  brotherhood  was  the 
voice  of  God,  on  June  21,  1846,  he  resigned  his  church, 
on  August  16th  preached  his  farewell  sermon,  and  took 
the  secretaryship,  a  work  to  which  he  was  to  give  twenty- 
five  years  of  his  life. 

The  work  upon  which  Mr.  Taylor  now  entered,  while 
new,  was  less  so  to  him  than  to  any  of  his  Southern 
brethren,  for  between  his  first  election  to  the  place  and 
his  second  he  had,  at  the  recjuest  of  the  Board,  given  sev- 


JAMES  B.  TAYLOR  117 

eral    days    each    week    to    its    correspondence.      A    life 
already  busy  seems  now  to  become  even  more  busy. 

Notwithstanding  his  other  numerous  and  arduous 
duties,  Mr.  Taylor  continued  to  preach.  Such  a  record 
as  this  in  his  diary  is  not  uncommon :  "Preached  at 
penitentiary,  9  o'clock;  First  Church,  at  11  a.  m.; 
a  funeral,  at  half-past  2  p.  m.  ;    Fourth  Church,  4  p.  m. 

Attended  First  Church  at  night. 
Two  visits.''  At  the  end  of  one  year  his  diary  shows 
that,  in  addition  to  addresses  on  missions  and  other  sub- 
jects, he  had  preached  141  sermons.  During  fourteen 
years  of  his  secretaryship  he  was  pastor  of  the  church 
at  Taylorsville,  a  station  some  eighteen  miles  from 
Richmond  on  the  Fredericksburg  railroad.  It  was 
understood,  however,  that  his  work  here  was  never  to 
interfere  with  his  work  for  the  Board.  Loving  to 
preach,  this  country  pastorate  seemed  a  rest  rather  than  a 
burden.  Not  unfrequently  he  preached  to  the  colored 
people,  and  it  so  happened  that  his  last  semion,  preached 
a  few  months  before  his  death,  was  to  them.  It  was  in 
Alexandria.  At  both  services  that  Sunday  he  was  with 
the  colored  people,  whom  he  was  striving  to  enlist  in 
African  missions. 

The  name  of  his  office  suggests  the  large  amount  of 
pen  work  which  had  to  be  done.  There  were  letters  to 
the  missionaries.  These  were  frequent,  full,  and 
fatherly.  They  manifested  not  only  a  deep  and  individ- 
ual interest  in  the  missionary,  but  an  intelligent  appre- 
ciation of  the  difficulties  and  hardships  of  each  country 
and  station.  They  contained  wise  counsel  and  loving 
sympathy.  They  came  to  be  styled  by  the  missionaries 
"the  epistles  of  St.  John,"  and  were  often  read  and  en- 
joyed by  the  workers  sent  out  by  other  denominations. 
Not  to  speak  of  the  routine  correspondence  of  his  posi- 
tion, during  a  number  of  years  he  was  editor  of  the 
Foreign  Mission  Journal.     With  all  this  writing  to  do. 


118         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

many  a  man  would  have  excused  himself  entirely  from 
family  letters.  Not  so  with  him.  On  long  journeys  he 
always  managed  in  spare  moments  to  send  to  his  wife 
and  children,  not  only  detailed  accounts  of  experiences, 
but  tender  and  minute  inquiries  and  suggestions  concern- 
ing the  home  circle  and  their  life  and  welfare.  The 
example  of  the  father  doubtless  had  much  to  do  with 
making  his  family,  even  to  the  second  generation,  re- 
markable as  a  family  of  letter  writers. 

In  a  sense  the  "anxiety  of  all  the  churches  was  upon 
him."  The  development  of  the  denomination  in  the 
South  in  systematic  missionary  liberality  was  virtually 
begun  during  Mr.  Taylor's  secretaryship,  for  up  to  this 
time  the  contributions  to  the  Boston  Board  had  been 
comparatively  few  and  small.  That  he  might  awaken, 
stimulate,  and  systematize  the  missionary  zeal  of  the 
Southern  Baptists  he  went  out  again  and  again  among 
them,  making  long  and  extended  tours.  By  private  and 
public  appeals  he  not  only  secured  money  for  immediate 
needs,  but  often  opened  streams  of  benevolence  which 
became  constant.  On  these  long  trips  he  journeyed  on, 
day  after  day,  in  heat  and  cold,  early  and  late,  to  meet 
public  appointments,  and  to  visit  individuals  in  their 
homes.  The  fatigue  and  the  exposure  endured  on  these 
trips  were  oftentimes  very  great.  The  stage  coach,  then 
not  un frequently  the  only  means  of  transportation,  is 
now  almost  unknown  save  as  a  synonym  for  slowness 
and  discomfort.  We  find  him  once  "shaving  by  moon- 
light" so  as  to  be  in  time  to  take  the  stage  before  day, 
and  another  time  riding  until  midnight  on  the  outside, 
by  which  time  he  was  numb  with  cold.  On  another  oc- 
casion a  blanket  was  purchased,  but  for  which  his  all- 
night  journey  would  have  meant  suffering  as  well  as  dis- 
comfort. Long  rides  and  drives  over  bad  roads  are 
frequently  mentioned  in  his  diary  and  letters.  Once  he 
and   several    fellow-travelers   had   a   breakdown ;    while 


JAMES  B.  TAYLOR  119 

some  of  the  party  went  in  search  of  a  blacksmith  he  and 
''the  boys  tied  up  one  side  of  the  wheel  with  a  hickory 
withe,"  then,  ''putting  one  end  of  the  small  tree  under 
the  wagon  and  the  other  on  his  shoulder,  he  told  the 
boys  to  drive  on."  Such  "journeyings  oft"  might  well 
have  broken  down  a  stronger  man  than  Mr.  Taylor,  but 
he  came  to  be  a  good  traveler,  learning  to  sleep  at  odd 
moments  and  even  under  the  most  unpropitious  circum- 
stances. 

On  these  trips  he  made  public  appeals  for  missions  at 
conventional  gatherings  and  to  individual  churches ; 
pleaded  with  wealthy  brethren  in  their  homes,  and  re- 
ceived sometimes  small,  sometimes  large  contributions ; 
met  and  talked  with  persons  considering  the  question  of 
becoming  missionaries ;  addressed  young  men  and  women 
in  colleges.  More  than  once  he  received  contribu- 
tions from  the  colored  people.  Mention  is  made  in  his 
diary  of  a  colored  woman  who  had  just  placed  $6  in  her 
pastor's  hand  for  missions,  this  being  only  one  of  a  num- 
ber of  liberal  contributions  she  had  made.  Such  state- 
ments as  this  occur  frequently  in  his  diary  or  letters : 
"It  will  be  three  weeks  or  a  month  before  my  return 
home,  and  I  must  if  possible  secure  $1,000  in  cash." 
Dr.  Jno.  A.  Broadus  said  of  his  method  of  collecting 
money  that  it  was  of  the  fertilizing  sort;  he  left  people 
more  friendly  to  him  and  his  cause  after  giving  and 
ready  to  give  next  time. 

As  each  little  company  of  missionaries  set  sail  for 
Africa  or  China,  we  find  Mr.  Taylor  going  on  to  New- 
York  to  secure  their  passage,  arrange  all  the  business 
details,  to  see  them  on  board,  and  to  bid  them  adieu. 
Sometimes  farewell  services  were  held  in  some  New 
York  church  on  the  eve  of  the  ship's  sailing,  which  exer- 
cises the  secretary  had  to  arrange  for,  and  in  which  he 
took  part. 


120         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

References  have  been  made  to  Mr.  Taylor's  domestic 
life.  He  was  a  loving,  thoughtful  husband,  a  wise  and 
kind  father.  His  children  were  on  his  heart  and  in  his 
prayers  from  their  very  birth.  During  his  secretary- 
ship, when  he  was  so  often  and  so  much  away  from 
home,  parental  responsibility  was  not  forgotten.  By 
letters  and  messages,  when  absent,  he  kept  in  touch  with 
the  children.  They  could  not  fail  to  realize  that  their 
father  was  thinking  of  them  in  their  work  and  in  their 
play  though  he  was  far  away.  Upon  his  return  from  a 
long  trip  his  valise  was  sure  to  contain  some  present  for 
each  one.  From  his  children's  earliest  childhood  they 
were  furnished  with  the  best  books,  and  so  early  in  life 
the  taste  for  reading  was  formed.  Nor  were  their  minds 
ever  starved  for  food.  Even  when  Mr.  Taylor  had  to 
practice  the  strictest  economy  in  his  household  finances, 
still  the  children  were  always  supplied  with  books,  and 
in  his  later  life  he  loved  to  give  to  his  grandchildren  as 
he  had  done  to  his  own  sons  and  daughters.  Although 
inclined  to  be  grave  in  his  manner,  Mr.  Taylor  was  by 
no  means  austere.  He  enjoyed  the  humorous  in  life, 
and  was  ready  to  join  with  his  children  or  grandchildren 
in  pleasant  conversation  or  in  innocent  amusements. 

In  1851,  Mr.  Taylor  was  withdrawn  from  active  work 
for  some  months  by  an  illness  which  brought  him  to  the 
very  gates  of  death.  The  whole  city  was  moved  at  the 
news  of  his  critical  condition,  and  prayer  was  made  for 
his  recovery.  He  always  believed  that  his  restoration  to 
health  was  an  answer  to  prayer.  He  was  slow  to  regain 
his  strength,  indeed  for  the  rest  of  his  life  he  was  never 
as  strong  as  he  had  been  before  this  spell.  During  the 
days  of  convalescence  he  composed  a  number  of  hymns, 
which,  with  those  written  at  other  times,  give  evidence 
of  a  correct  taste  and  some  skill  in  versification.  In  this 
connection  it  is  not  out  of  place  to  refer  to  his  style  in 
prose  composition,  which  Dr.  Jeter  described  as  "simple, 


JAMES  B.  TAYLOR  121 

neat,  easy,  in  good  taste,  and  well  suited  to  biography 
and  history."  This  illness  probably  resulted  from  over- 
work, and  the  same  cause  finally  shortened  his  life. 

In  1855,  Columbian  College  conferred  on  Mr.  Taylor 
the  honorary  degree  of  doctor  of  divinity.  His  declining 
the  degree  was  in  keeping  with  his  character,  for  surely 
he  was  the  humblest  of  the  humble.  He  felt  that  it  was 
wrong  to  make  any  such  distinctions  among  ministers, 
and  that  he  had  not  had  such  educational  training  as  the 
degree  would  seem  to  assume.  The  voice  of  the  people, 
however,  confirmed  the  decree  of  the  college,  convinced 
that  if  any  one  should  receive  the  title,  no  one  deserved 
it  more  than  he  did.  This  incident  is  but  one  of  many 
which  might  be  cited  to  show  his  lowliness  of  mind. 
Sometimes  in  his  letters  and  frequently  in  his  diary  he  de- 
plores his  lack  of  spirituality,  consecration,  and  breathes 
forth  prayers  and  resolves  for  greater  holiness.  In  a 
character  remarkable  for  symmetry,  if  there  was  one 
trait  which  was  conspicuous  above  the  rest  it  was  his  not 
"thinking  of  himself  more  highly  than  he  ought  to  think." 
His  humility  and  Christlikeness  took  on  mellowness  as 
he  advanced  in  years,  and  approached  his  end.  The  idea 
that  humility  means  weakness  or  indecision  of  char- 
acter, would  receive  a  striking  refutation  in  the  life  and 
character  of  James  B.  Taylor.  All  admitted  his  humility ; 
those  who  knew  him  at  all  well  knew  his  strength  and 
decision  of  character;  Dr.  Poindexter  said  he  was  the 
"firmest  man"  he  ever  knew.  He  exemplified  the  Latin 
motto,  Suaviter  in  modo,  fortiter  in  re.  Dr.  Franklin 
Wilson  once  said  to  the  writer  that  many  were  led  by 
Mr.  Taylor's  gentle  manner  to  think  of  him  as  yielding 
and  possibly  pliant,  but  he  declared  this  a  great  mistake, 
asserting  that  few  men  were  ever  more  tenacious  of 
purpose  or  unmoveable  from  the  path  of  duty. 

The  mission  work  of  the  Southern  Baptist  Convention 
had  been  well  established,  and  was  giving  signs  of 
progress   and   promise,   when    the   dark   cloud   of    war 


122         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

gathered  over  the  land  and  almost  entirely  interrupted 
all  regular  lines  of  Christian  work.  Communication 
between  the  Board  and  its  missionaries  was  broken  up, 
and  the  home  work  made  impossible.  Mr.  Taylor  be- 
came post-chaplain,  in  which  position  he  was  able  to  do 
much  for  the  sick  and  dying  in  the  Confederate  capital. 
He  preached  frequently  in  the  camps  around  Richmond, 
and  saw  the  fruit  of  his  labors  in  many  who  accepted 
the  Saviour.  When  the  strife  was  over  the  work  of  the 
Board  had  to  be  begun  again  almost  from  the  founda- 
tion. Brave  men  had  faced  the  privation  and  suffering 
of  the  camp  and  battlefield.  Scarcely  less  heroism  was 
displayed  by  those,  who,  having  loved  and  believed  in 
the  "Lost  Cause,"  turned  to  the  work  of  rebuilding, 
where  everything  was  in  ruins,  with  firm  hands  and  un- 
wavering hearts.  Dr.  Taylor  was  one  of  this  class.  The 
last  six  years  of  his  life  were  the  years  of  the  recon- 
struction period,  and  though  his  strength  had  begun  to 
wane,  still  he  did  all  in  his  power  to  bring  about  a  state 
of  good  feeling  between  the  estranged  sections,  and  to 
start  again  the  educational  and  missionary  efforts  of  his 
denomination.  Without  any  disloyalty  to  the  South,  or 
to  the  principles  which  had  led  her  to  fight,  his  gentle 
spirit  and  kind  words  at  this  time  were  like  oil  on  the 
troubled  waters.  As  to  missionary  endeavor,  though 
fully  recognizing  the  deep  poverty  of  the  South,  he  never 
for  one  moment  advocated  retrenchment.  He  called  for 
enlarged  gifts  in  money  and  reenforcement  in  men.  He 
arranged  in  1868  for  a  concert  of  prayer  for  missions 
in  all  the  churches  of  the  city,  being  anxious  no  doubt 
that  Richmond  should  lead  the  Southern  brotherhood. 
Nor  was  he  interested  at  this  time  in  his  own  especial 
work  alone.  The  financial  embarrassment  of  Richmond 
College  gave  him  great  concern,  and  he  proved  his  inter- 
est practically  by  a  business  trip  to  Chicago  in  the  inter- 
ests of  the  institution,  by  which  the  desired  results  were 
secured. 


JAMES  B.  TAYLOR  123 

Although  he  worked  to  within  a  few  days  of  his  death, 
Dr.  Taylor  was  in  declining  health  for  a  year  or  so  be- 
fore the  end  came.  He  sought  rest  and  relief  from  dis- 
ease now  at  the  White  Sulphur  Springs,  and  now  at  the 
University  of  Virginia,  where  his  oldest  son  was  Hving 
and  where  he  secured  very  able  medical  attention. 
Though  only  partial  relief  was  obtained  he  continued  at 
his  post,  writing,  preaching,  travehng.  As  the  end  drew 
still  nearer,  he  realized  the  situation  and  wanted  to  be 
ready  for  the  last  summons.  He  writes  to  one  of  his 
sons:  "I  long  for  a  higher  type  of  piety.  ...  I 
would  have  this  increased  devotion  to  God  without  a 
mere  reference  to  the  approach  of  death."  Something 
over  a  month  before  his  departure  he  wrote :  "My  mind 
has  dwelt  much  lately  on  my  coming  dissolution." 
When  it  was  no  longer  possible  to  go  regularly  to  his 
office  he  still  continued  to  work,  having  help  in  his  cor- 
respondence and  in  preparation  of  articles  for  the 
Journal  from  members  of  his  family.  His  resignation 
as  secretary,  offered  some  time  before  this  and  not  ac- 
cepted, was  offered  again  just  a  few  days  before  his 
death.  Expressions  of  regret  at  his  resignation  began 
to  come  in  just  as  the  news  of  his  death  went  out. 

A  favorite  text  with  Dr.  Taylor,  "Mark  the  perfect 
man  and  behold  the  upright,  for  the  end  of  that  man  is 
peace,"  comes  to  mind  in  reading  the  account  of  his  last 
hours  on  earth.  Around  him  were  gathered  his  loved 
ones.  As  the  day  passed,  hymns  were  repeated,  and 
Scripture  verses  quoted,  and  prayers  offered.  The  last 
words  spoken  by  the  departing  saint  were,  "All  is  right." 
Gradually,  almost  imperceptibly,  his  spirit  passed  from 
the  atmosphere  of  prayer,  to  the  praise  of  heaven's  court. 
"The  pilgrim  they  laid  in  a  large  upper  chamber,  whose 
window  opened  towards  the  sun-rising.  The  name  of 
the  chamber  was  Peace,  where  he  slept  till  break  of  day 
and  then  he  awoke  and  sang." 


124         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

Dr.  Taylor  having  died  on  Friday  (December  22, 
1871).  the  funeral  occurred  from  the  Grace  Street 
Church,  of  which  church  he  had  been  pastor  for  six 
years  and  a  member  for  thirty-one,  on  the  following 
Lord's  Day,  December  24th.  Addresses  were  made  by 
Drs.  Jeter  and  Curry,  and  the  other  exercises  w^ere 
shared  in  by  Drs.  N.  W.  Wilson,  J.  R.  Garlick,  C.  H. 
Corey,  and  Bishop  Cranberry,  of  the  Methodist  Church. 
The  burial  took  place  in  Hollywood  Cemetery,  the 
services  at  the  grave  being  conducted  by  Rev.  Dr.  J.  L. 
Burrows.  The  papers  throughout  the  South  contained 
sketches  of  the  departed  one,  and  at  the  meetings  the 
following  year  of  the  Virginia  General  Association  and 
the  Southern  Baptist  Convention,  his  life  work  and 
character  were  lovingly  remembered.  It  will  be  appro- 
priate to  give  extracts  from  what  was  said  and  written 
at  this  time  that  a  correct  picture  of  the  good  man  may 
be  obtained. 

Dr.  Curry,  in  his  address,  said :  "Whatever  of  history 
belongs  to  the  foreign  mission  w^ork  of  the  Southern 
Baptist  Convention  is  closely,  inseparably  interwoven 
w^ith  Brother  Taylor.  Humanly  speaking  he  was  the  soul 
of  the  work,  its  moving,  energizing  representative.  His 
labors  were  abundant.  Consummate  caution  and  wis- 
dom marked  his  counsels  and  actions.  Body,  soul,  and 
spirit,  he  identified  himself  with  the  cause  and  the  mis- 
sionary. To  those  laboring  abroad  he  was  a  brother  and 
a  father.  He  put  his  heart  in  closest  sympathy,  in  loving 
union  with  their  hearts.  He  shared  in  their  toils,  labors, 
and  sacrifices.  His  prayers  went  up  with  theirs.  His 
tears  mingled  with  theirs.  All  their  comforts  and  joys 
were  shared  equally  by  him.  He  had  so  allied  and 
identified  himself  with  labors  in  foreign  fields  that  he 
was  himself  almost  a  foreign  missionary,  and  certainly 
caught  the  character  and  spirit  of  Brainerd  and  Martyn 
and     Boardman    and     Judson.     .     .     .     Others    might 


JAMES  B.  TAYLOR  125 

fear,  stagger,  doubt,  be  discouraged ;  Brother  Taylor, 
'seeing  Him  who  is  invisible,'  had  faith  in  God  and 
walked  cahnly,  steadily,  noiselessly  forward;  and  now 
to-day  I  can  unhesitatingly  and  truthfully  say  that  what- 
ever of  success  has  attended  our  special  work  is,  under 
God's  providence  and  grace,  attributable  in  great  degree 
to  the  efforts  and  spirit  of  our  now-sainted  brother." 

Dr.  Jeter  wrote :  "Of  all  the  men  that  I  have  ever 
known  intimately,  his  qualities,  intellectual  and  moral, 
were  the  most  perfectly  proportioned  and  rounded. 
.  .  .  His  Hfe  was  made  up  not  of  brilhant  "exploits 
or  of  unusual  deeds,  but  of  the  diligent,  faithful  per- 
formance of  common,  ever-recurring  duties. 
Taylor  was  a  greater  man  than  he  appeared  to  be. 
By  nature  gentle,  amiable,  frank,  generous, 
high-minded,  and  firm  in  purpose.  .  .  .  His  piety 
grew  with  his  growth  and  strengthened  with  his 
strength.  His  naturally  excellent  qualities  were  refined 
and  ennobled  by  grace.  .  .  .  Of  all  the  men  of  my 
acquaintance  he  made  the  best  use  of  the  faculties  with 
which  he  was  endowed — the  opportunities  of  self-culture 
and  of  usefulness  granted  to  him.  It  did  not  seem  pos- 
sible that  he  should  have  made  higher  attainments  or 
have  done  more  good  under  the  circumstances  which 
encompassed  him.  .  .  .  Dr.  Taylor  was  a  good 
rather  tlian  a  great  preacher.  His  sermons  were  emi- 
nently evangelical.  .  .  .  His  obvious  aim  was  to 
instruct,  not  to  amuse — to  profit,  not  to  please.  His 
style  was  plain,  but  correct  and  nervous.  His  preaching 
was  never  boisterous,  rarely  declamatory,  but  generally 
earnest  and  pathetic.  ...  As  a  pastor  Dr.  Taylor 
excelled.  His  gentle  spirit,  winning  manners,  deep  ex- 
perience, and  unfaltering  faithfulness  eminently  fitted 
him  for  pastoral  labors.  .  .  .  Dr.  Taylor  was  a 
man  of  enlarged  views  and  liberal  feelings. 
He  was  a  Baptist,  but  he  rose  above  all  the  bonds  and 


126         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

prejudices  of  denominationalism.  He  was  a  lover  of 
good  men  of  every  name  and  caste.  He  was  Southern 
in  location,  interest,  and  sympathy,  but  his  affections 
were  not  confined  within  sectional  limits.  He  felt  that 
he  belonged  to  a  kingdom  restricted  to  no  latitude  and  no 
clime.  .  .  .  The  Baptists  of  Virginia  do  not  know 
and  can  never  fully  know  the  measure  of  their  obligation 
to  him  for  his  devotion  to  their  interests.  ...  As 
an  author,  Dr.  Taylor  attained  to  considerable  distinc- 
tion. His  'Life  of  Lott  Carey'  and  of  'Luther  Rice,' 
and  his  'Lives  of  the  Virginia  Baptist  Ministers'  were 
valuable  contributions  to  Baptist  literature,  and  had 
quite  a  wide  circulation.  ...  A  more  excellent 
man,  a  more  irreproachable  Christian,  a  more  faithful 
minister  I  have  never  known.  He  was  a  noble  specimen 
of  humanity  of  which  any  people  in  any  age  might  well 
boast.  He  was  a  servant  of  Christ  whom  Paul,  had  he 
been  on  earth,  would  have  acknowledged  as  his  'yoke- 
fellow.' " 

Dr.  A.  M.  Poindexter,  for  some  years  associated  with 
Dr.  Taylor  in  the  secretaryship,  said  in  a  memorial  ad- 
dress :  "  .  .  .  No  one  except  his  immediate  family 
and  myself  had  any  idea  of  the  extent  and  diversity  of 
his  labors.  Nor  did  I  know  until  I  was  associated  with 
him  in  the  office  that  there  was  imperatively  demanded 
more  work  than  enough  to  tax  to  their  uttermost  tzvo  of 
the  best  workers  to  be  found.  .  .  .  After  I  became 
familiar  with  the  business  of  the  office  I  was  astonished 
that  our  brother  had  for  so  long  a  time  borne  up  under 
that  which  had  been  done.  .  .  .  His  memory  was 
retentive  and  accurate,  especially  regarding  facts,  and  to 
this  cause  was  attributed  his  fondness  for  historical  re- 
search and  historical  writing.  He  was  remarkable  for 
his  love  of  order  and  the  systematic  arrangement  of  all 
his  business." 

Dr.  C.  Tyree  wrote :  "  .  .  .  Upon  the  whole  I 
have  always  considered  him,   both   in  his   lifetime  and 


JAMES  B.  TAYLOR  127 

since  his  death,  as  approaching  as  nearly  the  idea  of  a 
perfectly  wise  and  virtuous  man  as  perhaps  the  nature 
of  human  frailty  will  permit.  I  have  never  known  a 
minister  who  could  do  so  many  things  so  well  as  he 
could." 

These  quotations  might  be  almost  indefinitely  ex- 
tended. Besides  articles  in  the  papers,  and  resolutions 
and  addresses  on  public  occasions,  many  private  letters 
from  all  parts  of  the  country  came  with  words  of  per- 
sonal grief  at  his  death,  and  with  loving  tributes  to  his 
work  and  character.  He  had  traveled  widely  in  his 
work  as  secretary,  and  wherever  he  went  he  had  made 
friends  and  was  lovingly  remembered.  To-day  there  are 
homes  all  over  the  South  where  the  memory  of  his  visits 
abides  as  a  benediction. 

Much  has  been  said  about  his  untiring  zeal  and  energy 
and  about  the  work  which  he  accomplished,  yet  not  too 
much.  Still  if  it  is  possible  to  distinguish  between  the 
man  and  his  work,  great  as  was  Dr.  Taylor's  work,  he 
was  far  greater.  The  character  which  he  built  up  under 
God,  is  to-day  the  noblest  monument  to  his  name.  As 
one  contemplates  his  life  and  the  spirit  which  breathed 
in  him  there  seems  to  come  the  exhortation : 

''Build  thee  more  stately  mansions,  O  my  soul, 
As  the  swift  seasons  roll ! 
Leave  thy  low-vaulted  past ! 
Let  each  new  temple,  nobler  than  the  last, 
Shut  thee  from  heaven  with  a  dome  more  vast, 
Till  thou  at  length  art  free. 
Leaving  thine  outgrown  shell  by  life's  unresting  sea !" 


PATRICK  WARREN 

Patrick  Warren,  son  of  Deacon  Patrick  Warren  and 
Elizabeth  Williams,  was  born  December  22,  1816,  on  a 
farm  called  "Warren  Place,"  a  few  miles  below  Cape- 
ville,  Northampton  County,  Virginia.  He  was  con- 
verted at  the  age  of  sixteen  in  the  old  Lower  North- 
ampton Baptist  Church,  which  he  joined,  was  licensed  to 
preach  at  eighteen,  and  ordained  at  twenty-one,  when 
he  became  pastor  of  this  church  and  of  Red  Bank.  He 
served  these  two  congregations  for  seventeen  years, 
many  of  these  years  without  salary,  or  pay  of  any  sort. 
At  the  age  of  twenty-one  he  was  married  to  Miss  Eliza- 
beth Ann  Scott,  who  was  indeed  his  helpmeet  for  thirty- 
four  years.  Truly  his  wife  w^as  a  ministering  spirit, 
always  ready,  always  eager  to  sacrifice  herself  for  others. 
The  sick,  the  sorrowing,  the  afflicted  received  her  active 
sympath}^  and  help. 

While  Mr.  Warren  was  pastor  of  the  above-mentioned 
field,  a  new  house  of  worship  was  built  by  each  congre- 
gation. A  dear  brother,  ninety-six  years  of  age,  living 
at  Cape  Charles,  Va.,  in  a  recent  letter,  said :  'T  regard 
Brother  Patrick  Warren  as  one  of  the  ablest  preachers 
and  soundest  theologians  that  has  ever  occupied  the 
Lower  Northampton  Church  pulpit  during  my  recol- 
lection, and  I  have  always  been  in  close  touch  with  that 
field.  I  distinctly  remember  on  one  occasion  hearing  an 
attorney,  attached  to  General  Lockwood's  Federal  forces, 
say :  'He  is  one  of  the  deepest  thinkers  that  I  ever  heard 
preach.'  His  pastorate  in  this  county  was  decidedly 
successful,  and  he  was  z'cry  popular.  His  memory 
is  still  green  in  the  hearts  of  those  that  knew  and 
loved  him."  In  1854,  a  call  came  from  Onancock, 
in  response  to  the  request  in  the  will  of  a  Mrs.  Garrison 
that  Rev.  Patrick  Warren  be  the  first  pastor  of  a  church 

128 


PATRICK  WARREN  129 

to  be  built  with  a  part  of  the  money  she  was  leaving,  the 
remainder  of  which  was  to  be  put  out  at  interest  until 
enough  should  accumulate  to  build  another  church  at 
Drummondtown,  Accomac's  county  seat.  He  was  pastor 
of  the  Onancock  Church  for  thirteen  years,  giving  a  part 
of  his  time  to  the  Drummondtown  congregation,  after 
their  house  of  worship  was  built.  At  the  end  of  this 
pastorate,  when  Mr.  Warren  was  about  to  accept  another 
call.  Rev.  Henry  A.  Wise,  an  Episcopal  minister,  said  he 
ought  never  to  leave  the  Eastern  Shore,  where  he  w^as 
so  respected,  so  loved,  so  honored.  The  Onancock 
Baptist  Church  has  to-day  on  its  wall  tablets  to  the 
memory  of  him  and  his  wiie.  His  third  and  last  charge 
was  the  Navy  Yard  Baptist  Church,  in  Washington,  D.  C. 

Mr.  Warren  was  always  noted  for  his  fiminess  of 
character,  yet  broadmindedness.  His  house  and  heart 
were  open  to  all.  His  life  was  one  of  great  generosity; 
not  only  did  he  give  his  money,  but  he  gave  his  sympathy, 
his  time,  himself.  As  an  instance  of  his  fellow'ship  with 
all  the  servants  of  his  Lord,  a  Methodist  preacher,  when 
told  that  he  must  die,  asked  that  Rev.  Patrick  Warren 
preach  his  funeral  sermon.  While  pastor  on  the  Eastern 
Shore,  he  held  a  meeting  for  Dr.  T.  G.  Jones,  of  Free- 
mason Street  Church,  Norfolk.  A  prominent  Episco- 
palian, of  Northampton  County,  told  Mr.  Warren's 
eldest  son  in  what  high  esteem  his  father's  preaching  was 
held  by  Dr.  Jones  and  his  people,  adding:  'Tt  did  me 
good  to  know  how  he,  a  product  of  the  Eastern  Shore, 
was  regarded  by  such  a  man  as  Dr.  Jones." 

In  May,  1864,  during  the  War  between  the  states,  his 
house  being  as  it  had  been  since  the  fall  of  1861,  within 
the  lines  of  the  Federal  troops,  he  received  from  the 
officer  in  command  there  a  communication  W'hich  was 
practically  an  order  to  him  on  his  "next  regular  day  of 
Worship  to  offer  up  Prayer  to  Almighty  God  for  the 
President  of  the  United  States,  and  those  in  authority." 


130         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

This  quotation  is  from  the  communication  referred  to, 
the  original  of  which  is  in  the  possession  of  one  of  his 
sons.  On  the  following  Sunday  in  the  pulpit  of  the 
Onancock  Baptist  Church,  of  which  he  was  then  pastor, 
just  before  the  beginning  of  his  prayer  he  said :  "I  have 
received  the  following  communication" — and  then  read 
it  word  by  word — not  omitting  the  name  of  the  officer 
whose  name  was  signed  thereto,  and  who  was  in  the  con- 
gregation to  see  that  his  order  was  obeyed — and,  con- 
tinuing, said :  "Not  because  of  the  command  of  any 
officer  or  man,  for  in  matters  of  religion  I  acknowledge 
the  authority  of  no  man,  but  because  I  believe  it  to  be  my 
Christian  duty  to  pray  for  all  men  anywhere,  and  be- 
cause I  am  reminded  of  the  President  of  the  United 
States  and  those  in  authority,  and  because  I  believe  they 
need  the  prayers  of  God's  people,  I  will  pray  for  them. 
Let  us  pray."  The  main  substance  of  his  prayer  for 
them  was  that  they  might  see  the  errors  of  their  ways, 
repent,  and  be  converted ;  and,  in  doing  this,  he  called 
the  name  of  the  officer  who  had  signed  the  order  referred 
to,  who,  being  present,  heard  it  all.  On  going  out  of  the 
church,  after  the  congregation  had  been  dismissed,  a 
prominent  citizen  of  the  town  asked  the  officer  what  he 
was  going  to  do  with  Mr.  Warren  for  what  he  said  in 
his  prayer,  and  in  the  introduction  of  his  prayer.  And 
he  replied :    'T  am  going  to  let  him  alone." 

When  the  end  of  Mr.  Warren's  life  was  drawing  near, 
his  physicians  told  him  on  Saturday  that  he  had  better 
arrange  all  of  his  effects,  for  he  would  probably  die  that 
day.  He  replied:  "You  are  not  frightening  me.  All  of 
my  affairs  are  arranged.  General  Grant  in  the  Presi- 
dential chair  is  not  as  happy  a  man  as  I  am.  But  I  shall 
not  die  to-day ;  I  shall  go  to  heaven  on  Sunday."  This 
he  did  as  the  bells  were  chiming  the  hour  for  morning 
service.  The  day  before,  he  said :  "Call  the  children  in." 
All  of  them  were  at  home  save  Rev.  P.  T.  Warren,  then 


PATRICK  WARREN  131 

pastor  in  Mobile.  As  they  stood  around  his  bed  he  said 
to  them :  "My  children,  my  way  to  glory  is  bright ;  there 
is  no  cloud  between  me  and  my  Saviour." 

When  the  news  of  Mr.  Warren's  death  was  taken  to 
the  Navy  Yard  Church,  soon  after  he  had  passed  away, 
the  shock  was  electrical.  A  meeting  was  in  progress, 
and  many  expressed  themselves  as  owing  their  con- 
viction to  the  faithful  preaching  of  their  pastor  just 
gone  to  his  reward.    The  outcome  was  a  glorious  revival. 

The  funeral  services  were  conducted  by  Dr.  J.  W.  M. 
Williams,  of  Baltimore,  a  lifetime  friend,  and  Mr. 
Warren  was  buried  in  the  Congressional  Cemetery. 
Afterwards  his  body  was  moved  to  the  Onancock  Baptist 
Church  yard,  where  he  and  his  wife  now  lie  in  a  lot  given 
them  by  the  above-mentioned  Mrs.  Garrison.  A  marble 
monument,  erected  by  the  churches  of  the  Accomac  Asso- 
ciation, marks  the  resting  place  of  this  man  of  God,  who 
had  for  thirty-four  years  labored  so  faithfully  in  his 
Father's  vineyard. 


GEORGE  PEARCY 

It  was  in  Bedford  County,  Virginia,  a  section  famous 
as  the  birthplace  of  many  preachers,  that  on  June  23, 
1813,  George  Pearcy  first  saw  the  hght.  This  year  is 
memorable  in  the  annals  of  Baptists  as  the  date  of 
Luther  Rice's  return  to  America  to  begin  his  appeals  for 
missions  and  education.  Of  Nicholas  Pearcy,  the  father 
of  the  future  missionary,  a  friend  said :  "No  person,  we 
believe,  ever  did  more  to  sustain  a  church  and  promote 
vital  godliness  therein."  Within  the  sphere  of  influence 
of  the  godly  preachers  William  Harris,  James  and 
William  Leftwich,  the  boy  grew  up.  His  struggle  for 
an  education  was  long  and  heroic.  He  first  made  the 
means  and  then  wrought  at  what  is  now  Richmond  Col- 
lege, and  then  at  wdiat  was  Columbian  College,  from 
1836  to  1843,  until  he  won  his  degree  of  A.  B.  at  the 
latter  institution.  At  the  age  of  sixteen  he  had  made 
profession  of  his  faith  in  Christ,  so  we  see  tliat  the  con- 
straining love  was  a  mighty  motive  with  him.  Later  in 
life  he  was  described  "as  a  man  of  sensitive  feelings, 
modest  deportment,  sanguine  temperament,  logical  intel- 
lect, great  industry,  strong  common  sense,  unwavering 
devotion  to  the  convictions  of  right."  Doubtless  his 
early  life,  with  its  struggles,  at  once  displayed  and 
developed  these  traits  of  character.  Dr.  A.  B.  Brown, 
in  speaking  of  this  period  of  his  life,  calls  him  a  hero. 
Upon  his  graduation,  at  the  age  of  thirty,  he  became 
"first  tutor"  in  what  is  now  Hollins  College,  but  what 
was  then  the  Botetourt  Springs  Male  and  Female 
Institute.  This  institution  was  then  just  commencing  its 
career.  Rev.  Joshua  Bradley  being  its  president,  and 
Geo.  P.  Tayloe  the  president  of  the  Board  of  Trustees, 
operating  under  the   Valley   Union   Education   Society. 

132 


GEORGE  PEARCY  133 

The  school  was  co-educational,  and  Mr.  Pearcy  and  Rev. 
Geo.  W.  Leftwich  had  charge  of  the  "Male  Depart- 
ment." At  this  time  "board,  including  bedding  and 
room  rent  per  month,"  was  $5.50.  Provision  was  made 
for  two  sessions,  one  commencing  June  17th  and  end- 
ing December  14th,  and  the  second  running  from  Janu- 
ary 15th  to  May  14th.  For  a  session  of  six  months  the 
charges  for  tuition  were  according  to  the  subjects 
studied.  For  example :  "Geography,  English  Grammar, 
Arithmetic,  History  of  the  United  States,  Natural 
Philosophy,  or  Geography  Celestial,  $9.60,"  and  "Latin, 
Greek,  French,  Drawing  and  Painting,  Algebra,  Geom- 
etry, or  Surveying,  $18.00."  An  advertisement  of  the 
school  announced  that  "the  discipline  will  be  kind  and 
paternal,  but  steady  and  inflexible." 

In  May,  1845,  at  Augusta,  Ga.,  the  Southern  Baptist 
Convention  was  organized.  The  first  missionaries  ap- 
pointed by  the  Foreign  Board  of  the  Convention  were 
Rev.  S.  C.  Clopton  and  Rev.  George  Pearcy.  They  had 
been  classmates  at  college,  and  the  appointment  of  Mr. 
Clopton  to  China  was  followed  in  a  few  weeks  by  that 
of  Mr.  Pearcy  for  the  same  field.  On  November  3, 
1845,  Mr.  Pearcy  appeared  before  the  Board,  and  after 
being  examined  was  accepted.  By  v/ay  of  preparation 
for  his  work,  he  pursued  for  a  season  the  study  of 
medicine  at  the  Richmond  Medical  College,  and  on  May 
30,  1846,  was  married  to  Miss  Frances  Patrick  Miller, 
of  Cedar  Forest,  Pittsylvania  County,  Virginia,  whose 
father  was  for  many  years  "the  most  distinguished 
classical  teacher  in  all  that  part  of  Southern  Virginia 
lying  east  of  Petersburg."  On  June  15,  1846,  profoundly 
impressive  designation  services  were  held  at  the  Second 
Baptist  Church,  Richmond,  setting  apart  Clopton  and 
Pearcy  for  their  work  in  far-away  China,  one  Chinaman, 
Yong  Seen  Sang,  taking  part  in  the  exercises.  A  week 
later,  on  June  22d,  farewell  services  having  been  held  in 


134         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

New  York  City,  the  two  missionaries  and  their  wives 
sailed  from  New  York  on  the  Cahota.  Hon  Alex.  H. 
Everett  (a  brother  of  Hon.  Edward  Everett),  who 
sailed  on  the  Cahota  as  United  States  Minister  to  China, 
in  a  farewell  speech  on  the  ship  just  before  sailing 
promised  to  render  the  missionaries,  in  his  official 
capacity,  all  the  help  he  could. 

Canton  was  reached  in  October.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Pearcy  were  kindly  received  by  Dr.  Devan  of  the  "Mis- 
sionary Union."  Shortly  after  their  arrival,  upon  the 
death  of  Dr.  Devan's  wife,  the  Missionar}^  Union  closed 
this  station,  and  the  property  was  bought  by  the 
Southern  Baptist  Convention.  Here  the  Pearcys  and 
Cloptons  lived  as  harmoniously  as  brethren.  The  loca- 
tion, however,  was  by  no  means  ideal,  being  in  a  narrow 
street  between  a  low  public  house  and  a  duck  market. 
The  effluvia  arising  was  so  disagreeable  that  one  of  the 
missionaries  said :  *T  must  run  up  on  the  terrace  to  get 
a  mouthful  of  fresh  air."  A  little  later  an  even  larger 
missionary  family,  composed  of  three  Baptists,  three 
Presbyterians,  and  one  Methodist,  dwelt  together  in  a 
large  house  in  Macao,  enjoying  the  sea  breezes,  messing 
together  like  schoolboys,  and  dividing  the  expenses,  Mrs. 
Pearcy  being  the  housekeeper  and  financial  secretary. 
While  the  missionary's  life,  a  half  century  or  more  ago, 
in  the  East  had  even  greater  hardships  than  now,  still  it 
was  not  without  its  social  amenities,  as  is  shown  by  the 
fact  that  one  New  Year,  Mr.  Roberts,  another  mission- 
ary, sent  the  Pearcys  a  plum  pudding,  and  that  about 
the  same  time  Mr.  Roberts,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Pearcy,  and 
others  were  at  "a  party  at  Dr.  Parker's."  Nor  was  the 
life  of  the  Pearcy-Clopton  quartet  without  thrilling 
experiences.  During  some  troubles  between  the  English 
and  the  Chinese,  the  rabble  threatened  to  burn  the 
factories,  and  losing  three  of  their  number  claimed  as 
many  English  subjects.     The  British  spiked  800  guns  as 


GEORGE  PEARCY  135 

they  came  up  the  river.  All  the  merchants  sent  off  their 
money.  Thousands  of  Chinese  left  with  their  famiHes 
and  property.  While  Mr.  Clopton  took  the  women  to 
Hong  Kong,  Mr.  Pearcy  remained  to  watch  against 
thieves,  and  by  his  tact  made  many  friends  among  the 
Chinese. 

Disease  and  death  soon  invaded  the  ranks  of  the  httle 
company  that  had  sailed  away  from  their  native  land  on 
the  Cahota.  In  quick  succession  Rev.  S.  C.  Clopton  fol- 
lowed Hon.  A.  H.  Everett  to  the  grave,  and  from  the  very 
first  Mr.  Pearcy's  health  began  to  decline.  The  thought  of 
leaving  China  and  giving  up  the  work  to  which  he  had 
dedicated  his  life  brought  him  real  sorrow.  Twice  trips 
were  made  to  Shanghai  in  search  of  health.  On  both  of 
these  trips,  first  on  the  Hindostan  and  then  on  the  Joht 
Bunyan,  he  and  his  wife  encountered  great  storms,  the 
first  being  the  most  terrific  typhoon  that  had  visited  the 
coast  of  China  for  fifty  years.  All  hope  of  their  ship 
was  gone,  and  their  final  escape  seemed  miraculous;  a 
hundred  vessels  and  a  thousand  lives  were  said  to  have 
been  lost.  Finally,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Pearcy  were  trans- 
ferred to  the  Shanghai  mission.  Here  they  labored  for 
five  years.  Here,  among  other  valuable  services,  Mr. 
Pearcy  originated  the  phonetic  system  of  reading  and 
writing  the  Chinese  language,  which  system  was  brought 
to  perfection  later  by  another  missionary  of  the  Southern 
Baptists,  Dr.  T.  P.  Crawford.  Mr.  Pearcy's  health 
continued  to  decline,  but  he  was  unwilling  to  obey  the 
imperative  command  of  the  doctor :  "I  order  you  home," 
until  his  wife's  health  also  gave  way.  When  at  last  they 
were  about  to  sail  he  was  seized  with  Asiatic  cholera, 
and  lay  for  a  day  and  night  as  if  dead.  Preparations 
for  his  burial  were  made,  and  the  vessel  was  held  for 
two  days  that  after  the  funeral  his  wife  and  daughter 
might  sail.  The  doctor  used  some  violent  agency,  and 
the  one  seemingly  dead  lived  again.     During  this  time 


136         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

he  had  been  conscious  and  dreaded  being  buried  ahve. 
On  January  8,  1855,  he  and  his  wife  sailed  for  the 
United  States,  bidding  their  Shanghai  home  farewell 
with  sorrow,  and  hoping  that  their  absence  from  it  would 
be  brief. 

They  landed  at  Boston  in  April  and  made  their  way 
to  the  home  of  Mrs.  Pearcy's  father.  It  was  a  bitter 
trial  to  have  to  give  up  work  on  which  he  had  set  his 
heart,  but  he  bowed  to  the  will  of  God.  He  worked  for 
the  Foreign  Board  as  agent,  and  was  to  have  gone  to 
labor  among  the  Chinese  in  California,  under  the 
Domestic  Mission  Board,  but  the  war  interrupted  this 
plan.  While  he  never  became  pastor  of  any  church,  he 
never  became  secularized.  He  was  earnest  in  Sunday- 
school  work,  faithful  as  a  church  member,  ready  to  do 
gratuitously  supply  work,  and  to  preach  to  the  colored 
people.  While  always  ready  to  preach,  with  great 
humility  of  spirit  he  was  no  less  ready  to  yield  his  ap- 
pointment to  a  minister  whom  the  people  were  more 
anxious  to  hear.  See  what  was  the  real  spirit  of  the 
man!  The  years  after  the  war  were  years  of  poverty 
and  privation  for  him,  and  the  realization  that  he  would 
not  be  able  to  educate  his  children  as  he  wanted  to  do 
was  a  deep  sorrow.  Besides  there  was  his  waning 
health.  Then  the  labor  problem  was  most  serious,  the 
negroes  being  demoralized  by  their  newly  given  liberty. 
Presently,  however,  the  tide  began  to  turn;  he  was  able 
to  put  up  new  buildings  on  his  little  farm,  his  tobacco 
began  to  bring  good  prices,  and  his  brother  sent  him 
$200  with  which  to  purchase  a  horse.  Alas !  at  this  point 
typhoid  fever  broke  into  the  home,  laying  four  of  the 
family  low  at  the  same  time.  The  neighbors  were  afraid 
to  come  in  to  nurse,  and  before  this  disease  had  passed 
two  of  the  children  were  dead.  At  last,  on  July  24, 
1871,  Mr.  Pearcy  was  called  to  his  eternal  reward.  The 
son,  who  survived  him,  is  now  a  minister  of  the  Gospel, 


GEORGE  PEARCY  137 

and  the  daughter  Fannie  became  the  wife  of  Rev.  Dr. 
I.  M.  Mercer.  Mr.  Pearcy's  grandchildren  give  promise 
of  being  worthy  descendants  of  so  pious  and  consecrated 
a  man.  His  ashes  rest  beneath  the  sod  at  Cedar  Forest, 
but  his  name  and  record  may  well  prove  a  benediction 
and  an  inspiration  for  years  and  years  to  come.  These 
words  that  he  sent  back  to  his  native  land  from  China 
ought  to  stir  our  hearts  for  larger  missionary  effort: 
"Will  not  the  Christians  of  happy  America  pray  that 
God  will  enlighten  and  save  these  perishing  heathen  by 
the  gospel?" 


ADDISON  HALL* 

The  "Northern  Neck,"  a  peninsula  lying  between  the 
Potomac  and  Rappahannock  rivers,  is  one  of  the  most 
historic  sections  of  Virginia.  Here  Washington,  Madi- 
son, Monroe,  and  Robert  E.  Lee  were  born ;  here  many 
distinguished  families  have  lived;  here  "the  first  public 
association  formed  in  America,  for  resistance  to  the 
Stamp  Act,  was  organized  on  the  27th  day  of  February, 
1766."  At  Heathsville,  the  county  seat  of  Northum- 
berland, one  of  the  counties  of  the  Northern  Neck,  Addi- 
son Hall  was  born,  September  3,  1797.  His  father,  who 
had  first  seen  the  light  in  the  adjoining  County  of  West- 
moreland, was  at  this  time  keeping  the  hotel,  and  a  few 
years  later  moved  to  the  neighboring  village  of  Kilmar- 
nock, where  for  thirty-three  years  he  conducted  a  mer- 
cantile business,  commanding  the  confidence  and  esteem 
of  the  community  by  reason  of  his  strict  integrity, 
prudence,  and  punctuality.  His  wife,  her  maiden  name 
being  Clarissa  Pollard,  was  a  woman  of  a  literary  taste 
much  above  the  average.  The  boy  Addison's  school  days 
lasted  only  some  thirty-three  months,  the  cost  for  his 
schooling  being  thirty-three  dollars.  The  War  of  1812 
was  especially  felt  in  the  Northern  Neck,  and  was  in  part 
the  cause  of  the  boy's  limited  early  education.  Though 
so  young  he  volunteered  to  serve  his  country,  receiving 
many  years  afterwards  for  this  service,  from  the  Gov- 
ernment, a  land  warrant  for  160  acres. 

After  clerking  for  some  time  in  his  father's  store,  he 
was  for  six  months  in  the  large  dry  goods  store  of 
Mummy  and  Meredith,  Baltimore,  whence  he  returned 
home,   was  married,   January  2,    1817,   to   Miss   Susan 


*Much  material   for  this  sketch  is  from  the  "Life  of  Hall,"  by 
Rev.  Dr.  T.  S.  Dunaway. 

138 


ADDISON  HALL  139 

Edmonds,  and  went  into  partnership  with  his  father. 
Soon  he  opened  a  store  on  his  own  hook  at  Merry  Point, 
and,  a  few  years  later,  having  studied  law  by  himself, 
was  licensed  to  practice  by  Judges  Brooke,  Cabell,  and 
Brockenborough.  He  had  already  been  elected  to  the 
House  of  Delegates,  and  was  returned  session  after 
session  for  five  years.  He  did  not  become  a  Christian 
until  he  was  past  his  majority.  In  Baltimore,  as  his 
employers  were  Catholics,  he  occasionally  went  to  their 
church,  but  regularly  he  attended  the  Baptist  church,  yet 
no  great  impression  seems  to  have  been  made  at  either 
place.  When  at  last  his  concern  about  religion  began,  it 
was  deep.  He  was  in  great  distress.  Under  a  sermon 
of  Rev.  Samuel  Lamkin  Straughan  he  was  led  to  ac- 
knowledge publicly  his  concern,  and  finally,  having  sur- 
rendered to  Christ  in  his  room  at  a  friend's  house,  was 
baptized  a  few  weeks  later,  on  October  19,  1819,  in 
Indian  Creek.  Upon  the  occasion  of  his  conversion  his 
mother  wrote  an  acrostic  poem,  nor  was  this  her  first 
attempt  at  verse.  A  dream  in  his  youth,  which  im- 
pressed on  him  the  truth  that  Christ  w'as  the  only  way  of 
salvation,  so  fastened  itself  in  his  memory  that  many, 
many  years  afterwards  he  wrote  it  out  in  poetry  for  the 
Religious  Herald. 

During  his  career  in  the  Legislature,  when  he  was 
called  Colonel,  he  brought  back  home  Rev.  J.  B.  Jeter, 
hoping  to  secure  him  as  pastor.  Later  this  was  accom- 
plished. Perhaps  young  Hall  little  thought  that  he 
would  succeed  Mr.  Jeter  in  that  office.  Yet  thoughts 
of  the  ministry  pursued  him.  Once  when  the  preacher 
was  unexpectedly  absent  from  his  appointment  Mr.  Hall 
addressed  the  congregation.  From  this  time  forward  he 
often  spoke,  and  finally  was  licensed  by  the  church  to 
exercise  a  public  gift,  on  June  20,  1829.  Yet  as  no  field 
seemed  to  offer  itself  he  continued  at  the  bar.  During 
Dr.   Jeter's   pastorate  of  the   Morattico   and  Wicomico 


140         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

churches,  a  physician,  Dr.  W.  H.  Kirk,  was  led  to 
Christ,  and  on  August  13,  1835,  at  a  camp-meeting  in 
Northumberland  County,  upon  the  call  of  the  Morattico 
Church,  Mr.  Hall  and  Dr.  Kirk  were  ordained  to  the 
gospel  ministry.  Before  Mr.  Hall  finally  became  a 
pastor  he  moved  to  Richmond,  becoming  agent  of  the 
American  Colonization  Society  for  Virginia.  Years 
afterwards,  in  giving  advice  to  one  of  his  sons  upon  the 
various  callings  in  life,  he  said:  "Monied  agencies  of 
almost  every  kind  I  abhor.  I  tried  one  in  1835,  and  be- 
came disgusted  with  it,  owing  mostly  to  the  many  cold 
rebuffs  I  met  with."  About  this  time  he  made  a  trip  to 
the  West,  preaching  as  opportunity  offered,  and  attend- 
ing the  Baptist  State  Convention,  in  Louisville,  and  the 
Triennial  Convention,  in  Cincinnati.  As  he  was  return- 
ing to  Virginia  an  incident  occurred,  which  he  described 
in  his  notes  of  travel,  as  follows :  'T  took  passage  in  a 
steamer  at  St.  Louis.  .  .  .  Every  morning  after 
breakfast  in  the  main  saloon  a  card  table  was  drawn  near 
the  stove  (it  was  very  cold),  and  some  of  the  passengers 
enjoyed  the  forenoon  in  playing  cards.  I  was  a 
perfect  stranger  to  the  company,  and,  these  players  not 
appearing  to  be  rowdies,  I  sat  near  the  stove  conversing 
with  some  of  the  passengers  that  I  found  were  pro- 
fessors of  religion,  and  did  not  interfere  with  the  card 
players.  But  on  Sabbath  morning,  after  breakfast,  the 
table  was  again  placed  in  position,  two  persons  took  their 
seats  thereat,  and  one  of  them  commenced  'dealing'  the 
cards.  I  felt  then  it  was  time  to  remonstrate  and  to 
prevent,  if  possible,  such  gross  desecration  of  the  Lord's 
Day,  and  determined  either  to  stop  the  game  by  appeal- 
ing to  the  Captain,  or,  on  a  failure,  to  demand  to  be  set 
on  shore  myself  at  the  first  stopping  place.  ...  I 
concluded  to  try  mild  means  first.  I  arose  from  my  seat, 
took  out  of  my  pocket  a  small  Testament  .  .  . 
walked  up  to  the  gentleman  who  was  in  the  act  of  'deal- 


ADDISON  HALL  141 

ing'  the  cards,  and.  presenting  the  Testament  to  him,^  re- 
marked, 'You  had  better  use  this  book  to-day.'  'Oh,'  he 
rephed,  'it  is  Sunday,'  and  immediately  took  the  book, 
put  up  the  cards,  and  continued  to  read  the  book,  appar- 
ently for  some  twenty  minutes.  It  was  rather  a 
dangerous  experiment  thus  to  interrupt  such  sport  on  a 
western  steamer,  but  it  succeeded." 

Dr.  Jeter  resigned  his  charge  of  the  Morattico  and 
Wicomico  churches  and  removed  to  Richmond,  being 
moved  to  take  this  step  in  part  by  the  desire  to  leave 
fuller  scope  for  the  labors  of  Dr.  Kirk  and  Mr.  Hall. 
This  result  followed.  These  churches  called  Mr.  Hall, 
and  he  accepted.  It  was  not  long  before  an  unusual,  but 
as  it  turned  out  a  very  profitable,  arrangement  was  made. 
Dr.  Kirk  became  associated  with  Mr.  Hall,  on  this  field, 
each  man  preaching  once  a  month  at  each  church.  The 
Morattico  Church  held  services  at  two  points,  Kilmar- 
nock and  White  Stone  meeting-houses,  the  former  above 
and  the  latter  below  the  village  of  Kilmarnock.  During 
the  ministry  of  these  two  men  Wicomico  Church  had 
some  glorious  revivals,  when  scores  and  hundreds  were 
added  to  its  membership.  One  year  the  pastor  baptized 
into  the  fellowship  of  the  church  166  members,  the  next 
year  156,  and  four  years  later  176,  a  large  majority  of 
these  persons  being  white.  In  1843,  the  Morattico 
Church  had  968  members.  During  this  pastorate  two 
new  churches,  Fairfield  and  Lebanon,  were  organized, 
and  a  new  meeting-house  built  by  the  Wicomico  saints, 
who,  at  the  same  time  changed  the  name  of  their  church 
to  Coan.  These  changes  led  to  Mr.  Hall's  becoming 
pastor  of  the  Morattico  and  Lebanon  churches,  and  Dr. 
Kirk,  of  Coan  and  Fairfield. 

Mr.  Hall  was  not  an  eloquent  preacher,  yet  he  was 
"something  better."  Dr.  Jeter  says  of  him:  "He  was 
not  eminent  as  a  preacher.  A  feeble,  husky  voice,  with 
little  compass  or  pathos,  and  a  naturally  hurried  delivery, 


142         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

formed  an  insuperable  barrier  to  his  pulpit  popularity, 
but  his  ministry  was  distinguished  by  something  better 
than  the  fluent  verbiage  which  passes  with  most  for 
eloquent  preaching.  He  was  a  well-instructed  theo- 
logian, a  safe  interpreter  of  Scripture,  an  earnest, 
laborious,  faithful  teacher  of  Divine  truth,  a  religious 
guide,  whom  all  trusted  and  loved.  As  a  pastor  he  was 
more  notable  than  as  a  preacher;  His  experience,  gained 
from  an  extended  intercourse  with  the  world,  his  sound 
practical  judgment,  his  frank  independence,  his  unques- 
tioned devotion  to  the  interests  of  his  flock,  and  great 
firmness  of  purpose,  eminently  qualified  him  to  rule,  not 
with  a  rod  of  iron,  but  by  the  force  of  argument  and 
persuasion,  and  by  the  gentle,  yet  firm,  exercise  of  his 
proper  pastoral  authority.  His  great  and  long-continued 
popularity  and  usefulness,  in  the  only  field  of  his  minis- 
terial labors,  furnish  the  most  conclusive  evidence  of  his 
fitness  for  the  office  of  a  bishop."  He  remained  pastor 
in  this  one  field  till  December,  1870,  a  period  of  almost 
thirty-five  years. 

Mr.  Hall  was  over  six  feet  in  height,  carried  himself 
well,  and  was  quick  and  rather  graceful  in  his  move- 
ments. His  complexion  was  ruddy  and  rather  dark. 
His  forehead  was  high,  and  his  head,  which  was  well 
formed,  covered  with  black,  curly  hair.  His  eyes  were 
such  a  dark  blue  that  many  thought  them  black.  He 
never  wore  a  beard,  thinking  that  this  was  not  suitable 
for  a  preacher.  While  his  face  was  grave  and  his  bear- 
ing dignified,  he  was  not  averse  to  the  "lighter  vein," 
and,  indeed,  his  demure  countenance  enabled  him  to 
make  the  climax  of  a  joke  all  the  more  striking.  Dr. 
Jeter  tells  of  how  Mr.  Hall,  knowing  Dr.  Jeter's  admi- 
ration of  Robert  Hall,  of  England,  had  quite  a  joke  on 
him.  Dr.  Jeter  says :  "He  informed  me  that  Robert 
Hall  had  recently  arrived  in  this  country.  To  all  my 
questions  as  to  the  time  and  place  of  his  landing  and  the 


ADDISON  HALL  143 

design  of  his  coming,  he  gave  evasive  but  plausible 
answers,  until  my  curiosity  and  interest  were  raised  to 
the  highest  excitement.  He  then  informed  me  of  the 
recent  birth  of  a  son,  of  which  I  had  not  previously 
heard,  whom  he  had  named  Robert." 

It  has  been  seen  that  Mr.  Hall  was  first  a  merchant, 
then  a  lawyer,  and  then  in  the  Legislature.  This  cata- 
logue does  not  exhaust,  however,  the  list  of  his  occu- 
pations, besides  his  work  as  a  minister.  Again  and  again 
he  was  called  to  represent  his  county  and  section  in 
political  conventions.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Consti- 
tutional Convention,  w^hich  was  in  session  in  Richmond 
some  eight  months,  adjourning  August  1,  1851.  During 
this  period  he  supplied  the  pulpit  of  the  Grace  Street 
Baptist  Church,  the  pastor.  Dr.  Kings  ford,  being  absent 
on  a  trip  to  England.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Virginia 
Convention,  of  1861,  where,  like  so  many  others,  having 
been  opposed  to  separation  from  the  Union,  voted  for 
secession  when  Virginia  was  threatened  with  invasion. 
Here  are  some  of  the  other  offices  he  held.  Dr.  Dunaway 
says :  "For  a  long  time  he  was  an  active  Justice  of  the 
Peace,  under  the  old  Constitution  of  Virginia,  and  for 
many  years  Presiding  Justice  of  the  County  Court,  under 
the  Constitution  of  1850.  He  was  also  for  many  years 
Commissioner  in  Chancery,  both  of  the  Circuit  and 
County  Courts,  of  Lancaster:  a  School  Commissioner 
and  Treasurer  of  the  Glebe  Fund,  of  Lancaster  County. 
Besides  these  public  offices,  which  he  filled  for  a  long 
term  of  years,  he  was  frequently  called  on  to  settle 
estates,  and  to  discharge  in  other  capacities  the  duties  of 
fiduciary."  In  the  best  sense  of  the  word,  he  was  an 
educated  man.  His  letters  and  sermons  prove  that  he 
was  master  of  a  strong  English  style.  Nor  did  he  limit 
himself  to  prose.  His  mother  had  written  verses  and  he 
followed  her  example.  Some  of  these  effusions  are 
humorous,  and  at  least  one  is  a  hymn,  which  he  prepared 


144         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

for  a  service  where  no  hymn  in  the  Virginia  Selection 
seemed  to  him  appropriate. 

Some  may  question  the  wisdom  of  a  preacher's  hold- 
ing so  many  positions  of  a  public,  not  to  say  political, 
character.  Yet  such  a  course  seemed  necessary  for  Mr. 
Hall.  His  salary  was  small,  never  exceeding,  and  often 
less  than,  $500,  while  his  family  was  large.  He  had 
eighteen  children,  of  whom  twelve  lived  to  be  grown  up. 
He  was  married  three  times.  His  first  child,  Henrietta, 
became  the  wife  of  Rev.  J.  Lewis  Shuck,  and  as  his  wife 
the  first  woman  missionary  from  America  to  China. 
Mrs.  Shuck  died  suddenly  in  China,  her  death  proving 
a  great  blow  to  her  loved  ones  at  home.  Another 
daughter  married  Rev.  Thos.  W.  Tobey  and  went  to 
China,  but,  on  account  of  her  ill  health,  they  returned 
after  a  few  years  to  this  country.  Mr.  Hall's  second  wife 
was  Miss  Catherine  C.  Crittenden;  she  lived  seventeen 
years  after  her  marriage,  a  helpmeet  indeed  to  her  hus- 
band. Mr.  Hall's  third  wife  was  Miss  Lucy  A.  Noyes,  a 
native  of  Massachusetts,  who  had  come  to  Northum- 
berland County  as  teacher  of  a  private  school  in  the 
family  of  Dr.  Hudnall.  In  the  end,  this  marriage  proved 
a  most  unfortunate  alliance.  After  a  number  of  years 
of  loyalty  to  and  fellowship  with  her  husband,  and  after 
bearing  him  several  children,  this  wife  brought  Mr.  Hall 
such  sorrow  and  distress  that  many  thought  he  died  of  a 
broken  heart.  Her  affections  turned  to  another,  and  she 
was  unfaithful  to  her  husband.  So  clear  were  the  proofs 
of  this  conduct  of  hers  that  Mr.  Hall  could  not  do  less 
than  secure  legal  separation.  This  he  did,  receiving  at 
once  the  approval  and  sympathy  of  the  whole  com- 
munity. Shortly  afterwards  he  resigned  his  churches, 
broke  up,  and  moved  to  South  Carolina,  expecting  to 
make  this  his  home.  He  found,  however,  that  his  great 
sorrow  went  with  him,  and  that  being  out  of  Virginia 
and  out  of  the  pastorate  only  made  matters  worse.     So 


ADDISON  HALL  145 

he  returned  to  his  native  heath.  He  now  considered  a 
plan  for  a  tour  to  Palestine,  but,  instead  of  going  to  the 
earthly  Jerusalem,  he  was  called  in  a  short  while  to  the 
new  Jerusalem.  Not  long  before  his  death,  which  came 
with  little  notice,  he  remarked  that  he  would  like  to  visit 
Old  Jerusalem  and  walk  where  the  Saviour  trod,  but  if 
he  recovered  he  should  have  to  abandon  this  cherished 
wish,  adding:  "If  I  can  only  reach  the  New  Jerusalem 
I  will  now  be  satisfied."  He  died  on  Sunday,  April  2, 
1871,  and  was  buried  in  the  spot,  in  the  cemetery  by  the 
Kilmarnock  Meeting  House,  which  he  had  long  before 
selected  as  his  last  resting  place. 


ABRAM  MAER  POINDEXTER 

Long  ago  a  certain  French  Protestant  left  his  native 
land  and  fled  to  England  in  order  to  escape  persecution. 
His  family  was  large,  and  one  of  his  sons,  Thomas 
Poindexter,  he  sent  to  Virginia,  giving  him  a  handsome 
estate,  in  order  to  prevent  his  marriage  to  a  certain 
young  lady  whom  he  considered  an  undesirable  com- 
panion for  his  son.  The  young  woman  learned  of  the 
whereabouts  of  her  lover,  indented  herself  as  a  servant 
for  four  years  in  order  to  follow  and  find  him,  and  was 
sent  to  Virginia.  Young  Thomas  heard  that  a  shipload 
of  servants  had  arrived,  and  going  to  seek  a  servant, 
found  his  sweetheart  whom  he  speedily  made  his  wife. 
Two  brothers,  grandsons  of  this  couple,  were  Baptist 
preachers,  Richard  Jones  Poindexter  and  John  Poin- 
dexter, the  former  being  the  father  of  the  subject  of 
this  sketch.  Fannie  Maer,  after  the  death  of  her  first 
husband,  Mr.  Jordan,  married  Richard  Jones  Poin- 
dexter, becoming  the  mother  of  eight  children,  of  whom 
the  only  one  who  lived  to  manhood  bore  the  name  of 
his  maternal  grandfather,  Abram  Maer.  The  two  half- 
brothers,  William  Hill  Jordan  and  Abram  Maer  Poin- 
dexter, were  devoted  to  each  other  all  their  lives,  both 
of  them  becoming  distinguished  divines.  As  a  boy, 
young  Poindexter,  who  was  born  September  22,  1809, 
in  Bertie  County,  North  Carolina,  worked  on  the  farm 
and  went  to  school.  His  father  was  from  Louisa 
County,  Virginia,  and  towards  the  close  of  his  life  pastor 
of  the  Hollis  Grove  Baptist  Church,  in  North  Carolina. 
Quite  soon  in  life  the  boy  displayed  that  argumentative 
ability  which  was  to  be  such  a  distinguishing  trait  in  his 
subsequent  life.  After  a  discussion  with  his  son,  Mr. 
Poindexter  was  candid  enough  to  say :  "Well,  my  son, 
you  have  cornered  me,"  and  the  victor  in  this  debate  was 

146 


ABRAM  MAER  POINDEXTER  147 

quite  youthful,  for  his  father  died  when  he  was  seven- 
teen years  old.  So  the  young  man  set  out  on  Hfe.  As 
a  boy  he  had  read  his  Bible  no  little,  and  for  want  of 
some  one  better  had  been  superintendent  of  a  Sunday 
school  long  before  his  conversion.  Various  lines  of 
work  presented  themselves,  such  as  being  a  lawyer  or  a 
printer,  and  for  some  six  months  he  lived  with  his  half- 
brother  in  Granville  County,  North  Carolina.  He  was 
baptized  by  Rev.  R.  Lawrence,  pastor  of  the  Caskie 
Church,  Bertie  County,  North  Carolina,  in  July,  1831, 
and  licensed  to  preach  the  following  February.  His 
sojourn  in  the  home  of  Rev.  Abner  W.  Clopton,  in 
Charlotte  County,  was  an  epoch  in  his  spiritual  develop- 
ment. This  country  preacher,  who  was  a  great  pioneer 
in  the  temperance  movement  in  Virginia,  made  a  lasting 
impression  on  young  Poindexter.  He  called  him  his 
"venerated  instructor  in  ministerial  duty,"  and  through 
life  remembered  him.  Years  afterwards  in  The  Com- 
mission he  quoted  these  words  of  Mr.  Clopton : 
"Never  suffer  an  opportunity  to  pass  unimproved,  when 
you  can  properly  introduce  religious  conversation  with 
the  unconverted."  From  the  first,  young  Poindexter 
preached  frequently,  though  as  yet  he  had  no  church,  nor 
any  college  training.  In  a  diary,  called  the  "Remem- 
brancer," which  he  kept  at  this  period  for  some  five 
years,  expressions  occur  such  as :  "tried  to  preach  ten 
times,"  and  "Lord's  Day  was  a  melting  time."  The 
former  of  these  allusions  was  to  work  done  while 
visiting  relatives  in  North  Carolina,  and  the  latter 
to  a  four  days'  meeting  at  Ash  Camp  (Keysville,  Va. ). 
The  same  "Remembrancer"  tells  how  at  an  association 
an  old  minister  "blundered  greatly  in  his  sermon,"  and 
how  the  young  preacher  thought  it  his  duty  to  correct 
his  errors,  and  how  the  matter  afterwards  caused  him 
much  uneasiness,  though  he  could  not  feel  that  he  had 
acted  wrong. 


148         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

On  February  12,  1833,  Mr.  Poindexter  entered 
Columbian  College,  Washington  D.  C.  Rev.  Dr. 
Stephen  Chapin,  at  that  time  president  of  the  College, 
was  a  man  of  high  scholarship  and  genial  spirit.  He 
gave  for  three  years  his  own  salary  in  an  effort  to  re- 
move a  burdensome  debt  from  the  College ;  he  was  inti- 
mate with  most  of  the  great  statesmen  of  the  day,  many 
of  whom,  like  Jackson,  Clay,  Calhoun,  Webster,  and 
others,  were  often  seen  at  his  hospitable  board.  Sick- 
ness first  hampered  and  finally  brought  to  an  end  Mr. 
Poindexter's  college  work.  Trouble  with  his  throat  and 
a  cough  that  suggested  consumption  came  to  him  now, 
and  were  more  or  less  his  companions  for  life.  Dr.  A. 
Bagby  declares  that  only  strong  will  and  common  sense 
saved  him  for  his  life  work.  What  with  his  un- 
certain health,  his  restiveness  under  college  restraint, 
and  the  fact  that  he  was  in  demand  as  a  preacher,  his 
studies  doubtless  suffered.  On  a  college  composition  of 
his  the  president  wrote:  "If  I  could  write  as  well  as  you 
can  I  would  write  better  than  you  do.'''  He  was  called 
on  quite  often  to  preach  at  the  Washington  churches. 
The  Navy  Yard  Church  asked  him  to  preach  regularly 
for  them,  and  on  the  last  Sunday  of  the  session,  upon 
special  request  of  President  Chapin,  he  supplied  the 
pulpit  of  the  leading  Baptist  Church  of  Washington. 
About  this  time  two  friends  rejoiced  his  heart  by  giv- 
ing him  $20  with  which  to  buy  a  commentary.  Dr. 
Broadus  says  that  a  dedication  sermon,  which  Mr.  Poin- 
dexter preached  about  this  time,  had  two  features  that 
marked  his  preaching  through  life,  namely:  1.  Every- 
thing was  argued  out;  2.  The  treatment  of  the  subject 
takes  a  very  wide  range. 

On  January  20,  1834,  he  determined  to  leave  college 
and  go  to  North  Carolina.  In  Charlotte,  having  exposed 
himself  in  waiting  on  a  sick  friend,  he  was  so  ill  with 
"bilious  pleurisy"  that  it  was  thought  he  would  not  re- 


ABRAM  MAER  POINDEXTER  149 

cover,  and  Luther  Rice,  who  was  in  the  neighborhood, 
began  to  prepare  his  obituary.  While  at  college  he  had 
declined  a  call  to  churches  in  Charlotte  County,  but  soon 
after  his  recovery  from  this  illness  he  accepted  the  care 
of  Catawba  and  Clarksville  churches,  Halifax  County, 
Virginia.  In  these  days  the  cause  of  foreign  missions 
began  to  command  his  interest  and  attention.  A  letter 
came  from  Jas.  B.  Taylor,  who  later  was  foreign  mission 
secretary,  and  still  later  had  Poindexter  as  his  associate 
in  this  work,  asking  the  question :  "How  do  you  feel 
about  a  mission  to  the  heathen?"  Doubtless  his  health 
had  much  to  do  with  the  answer  he  sent :  'T  do  not  now 
think  it  my  duty,"  for  shortly  before  this  the  "Remem- 
brancer" has  this  record :  "O  Lord,  I  am  Thy  sen^ant. 
Send  me  whither  Thou  wilt."  About  this  time  he  was 
thrown  much  into  the  company  of  Luther  Rice.  Later, 
Poindexter  said  of  Rice,  "in  virtues  among  the  first  and 
in  talents  the  first  of  those  whom  he  had  intimately 
known,"  and  Rice  said  of  Poindexter  that  he  was  the 
most  promising  young  preacher  whom  he  knew.  Li  the 
spring  of  1836,  he  took  a  trip  to  raise  money  for  print- 
ing the  Burmese  Bible,  which  translation  Judson  had 
completed,  on  December  29,  1835.  Upon  the  suggestion 
of  Dr.  Daniel  Witt  he  was  called  to  the  Charlottesville 
Church.  He  resigned  his  country  churches  and  spent 
some  months  in  Charlottesville,  to  decide  whether  he 
should  accept  the  call.  It  was  finally  declined.  He 
deemed  his  strength  unequal  to  the  tax  of  preparing  sev- 
eral sermons  a  week  such  as  a  university  town  would 
demand,  and  of  meeting  all  other  necessary  engagements. 
Besides,  he  was  now  anxious  to  enter  into  the  estate  of 
marriage,  and  the  salary  offered  at  Charlottesville  pro- 
hibited this  step.  He  turned  to  a  country  field,  and  on 
May  25,  1837,  was  married  to  Mrs.  Eliza  J.  Craddock. 
This  marriage.  Dr.  Jeter  says,  proved  to  be  one  of  great 
happiness  and  usefulness.     Mr.   Poindexter  was  pastor 


150         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

for  a  longer  or  shorter  time  of  the  following  churches 
in  Halifax  and  Charlotte  counties:  Catawba,  Hunting 
Creek,  Millstone,  Republican  Grove,  Beth  Car,  Char- 
lotte Court-House.  Concerning  his  life  as  a  pastor,  Dr. 
T.  W.  Sydnor  says  that  he  was  not  successful  as  a 
pastor,  either  in  adding  to  numbers  or  in  promoting 
efficiency,  but  adds  that  he  was  exceedingly  popular,  and 
regarded  as  incomparably  the  ablest  minister  of  any  de- 
nomination in  all  that  section,  and  crowds  attended 
upon  his  ministry.  In  1842,  Mr.  Poindexter  published 
in  the  Baptist  Preacher  a  sermon  on  "Piety,  the  Chief 
Element  of  Ministerial  Power,"  which  had  been  deliv- 
ered before  the  Virginia  Baptist  Education  Society,  in 
June.  It  had  been  preached  with  great  earnestness,  and 
seems  to  have  made  a  deep  impression.  A  year  later, 
when  he  was  thirty-six  years  old,  Columbian  College 
conferred  on  him  the  honorary  degree  of  D.  D. 

Dr.  Poindexter  gave  a  large  part  of  his  life  to  agency 
work.  In  this  field  of  labor  he  was  highly  successful. 
Here  there  was  play  for  his  especial  talents.  While  he 
was  strong  as  a  preacher  he  seems  to  have  been  even 
more  powerful  on  the  platform.  His  will  power,  perse- 
verance, and  powers  of  persuasion  added  to  his  effective- 
ness as  an  agent.  As  a  representative  of  Columbian 
College  and  Richmond  College,  and  as  assistant  secretary 
of  the  Foreign  Mission  Board,  he  went  far  and  wide 
pleading  for  the  two  great  causes  of  education  and 
foreign  missions.  In  his  position  also  of  secretary  of 
the  Southern  Baptist  Publication  Society,  at  Charleston, 
S.  C,  he  doubtless  traveled;  certain  it  is  that  for  this 
society  he  raised  a  fund  of  $20,000  for  stereotyping 
books,  one  valuable  book  published  by  this  means  being 
"The  Baptist  Psalmody."  Six  hymns  in  this  hymn 
book  were  from  his  pen.  In  this  connection  his  deep 
interest  and  part  in  the  establishment  of  the  Southern 
Baptist  Theological   Seminary   ought   to   be   mentioned. 


ABRAM  MAER  POINDEXTER  151 

He  was  at  several  of  the  meetings  which  resulted  in 
the  birth  of  this  great  institution,  and  helped  toward  the 
noble  accomplishment.  His  agency  for  Columbian 
College  lasted  for  three  years,  and  in  this  time  he  raised 
$25,000.  In  June.  1851,  his  first  agency  for  Richmond 
College  began,  continuing  for  three  years.  This  move- 
ment for  Richmond  College,  in  which  Dr.  Poindexter 
bore  the  leading  part,  is  thus  described  in  a  historical 
sketch  of  the  college,  published  in  1885:  "In  1851,  it 
was  decided  to  raise  $85,000  in  bonds  of  $100  or  over, 
payable  in  three  annual  instalments,  the  first  to  become 
due  as  soon  as  $60,000  had  been  secured.  Rev.  A.  M. 
Poindexter  was  appointed  agent,  and  all  unpaid  bonds 
and  pledges  hitherto  given  were  turned  over  to  him  for 
adjustment.  His  success  was  so  complete  that  on  the 
10th  of  June  following  he  reported  in  bonds  and  cash 
$60,732.40,  in  unbonded  subscriptions  and  pledges  of 
less  than  $100,  $3,696.  This  was  counted  as  making 
the  endowment  $75,000,  and  the  agent  was  requested  to 
continue  his  labors  and  raise  $25,000  more  for  endow- 
ment and  $50,000  for  buildings.  At  this  he  worked  two 
years  longer,  and  secured  means  to  erect,  in  1854,  ac- 
cording to  plans  drawn  by  Thomas  A.  Tefft,  architect, 
and  at  a  cost  of  $25,500,  the  north  wing  of  the  present 
college  buildings,  devoted  mainly  to  dormitories.  The 
collection  of  bonds  progressed  fairly,  the  funds  invested 
in  public  securities  was,  in  1854,  $72,642;  in  1859, 
$77,042.  .  .  .  The  fervid  eloquence  of  Poindexter 
stirred  the  people  all  over  the  State,  and  the  attendance 
increased  rapidly,  reaching  its  highest  point,  161,  in 
1855-56."  The  second  agency  of  Dr.  Poindexter  for 
Richmond  College,  in  the  terrible  years  that  followed 
the  Civil  War,  secured  in  bonds  and  subscriptions  $75,- 
000.  "A  little  more  than  one-third  of  the  amount  was 
paid  in  and  added  to  the  interest-bearing  fund.  The 
rest  was  swallowed  in  the  whirlpool  of  general  bank- 


152         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

ruptcy  which  soon  followed,  or  merged  into  the 
Memorial  endowment."  Dr.  A.  Bagby,  in  describing 
Dr.  Poindexter's  personal  appearance,  says  that  he  was 
about  five  feet  ten  inches  tall,  weighing  from  140  to  160 
pounds,  and  that  he  was  bony,  muscular,  and  that  his 
forehead  was  not  unusually  high  but  broad,  while  his 
eye  was  his  most  prominent  feature,  being  bluish  grey, 
unusually  alert  and  penetratmg.  Those  who  remember 
nothing  else  about  Dr.  Poindexter's  personal  appearance 
never  seem  to  be  able  to  forget  his  eyes.  Generally  we 
speak  of  the  flashing  black  eyes.  Dr.  Poindexter's  clear 
blue  eyes  had  the  flash  and  fire  commonly  associated 
with  dark  eyes.  Dr.  George  B.  Taylor  says :  "His  eye 
told  the  tale ;  that  pleading  blue  eye  which  Dr.  Fuller 
declared  to  be  irresistible,  and  which,  with  all  its  intelli- 
gence, often  seemed  to  me  to  have  something  of  the  wist- 
fulness  of  the  most  devoted  of  dumb  creatures."  Dr. 
Broadus  says  that  "his  figure  was  graceful  and  pleasing, 
and  his  action  was  natural,  varied,  and  often  extremely 
commanding." 

With  a  picture  of  Dr.  Poindexter  as  a  speaker,  Dr. 
Broadus  began  his  memorial  address,  delivered  before 
the  Virginia  Baptist  Historical  Society,  at  the  General 
Association  in  Staunton,  Va.,  November  13,  1886.  Dr. 
Broadus  says :  "A  new  generation  is  arising  that  knew 
not  Joseph.  A  large  proportion  of  the  persons  present 
can  hardly  sympathize  with  the  profound  interest  which 
those  who  are  older  feel  in  the  life  and  character  of  this 
long-departed  minister.  But  transport  yourself  in  fancy 
to  a  meeting  of  the  General  Association  twenty  years 
ago.  A  debate  is  in  progress  involving  some  vital 
doctrine  of  Scripture,  or  some  question  of  church  gov- 
ernment, or  some  point  connected  with  ministerial  or 
general  education  or  with  the  work  of  missions.  Some 
brother  is  presenting  arguments  or  plans  which  others 
might  regard  as  of    questionable  propriety.       Instantly 


ABRAM  MAER  POINDEXTER  153 

you  see  a  man  rise  from  one  of  the  front  seats  and  go 
quickly  towards  the  speaker.  He  is  a  man  of  somewhat 
less  than  medium  height,  but  of  graceful  figure.  His 
face  has  a  rather  haggard  look ;  but  his  blue  eye  is  as 
bright  and  tender  as  a  morning  sky  in  springtime.  He 
seats  himself  just  in  front  of  the  speaker,  puts  in  posi- 
tion an  enormous  ear-trumpet,  lifting  it  towards  the 
speaker's  face,  and  gazes  up  at  him  with  a  kindly,  eager, 
and  curiously  humble  expression  of  countenance.  As 
soon  as  the  speech  ends,  he  quickly  lays  down  the  ear- 
trumpet,  and  rises  with  elastic  energy  to  his  feet.  He 
begins  to  speak  without  the  slightest  touch  of  arrogance, 
and  yet  with  the  unmistakable  air  of  a  man  who  thor- 
oughly understands  the  subject.  He  calls  up  accurately, 
and  without  apparent  effort,  any  point  made,  in  the 
course  of  the  debate,  that  he  has  occasion  to  use.  He 
has  evidently  thought  through  and  through  all  the  prin- 
ciples involved,  and  his  arguments  come  trooping  as 
they  are  wanted.  Everything  erroneous  or  questionable 
finds  itself  overwhelmingly  refuted,  and  the  truth  on  the 
subject,  as  prevailing  among  intelligent  Baptists,  is  set 
forth  in  complete  and  luminous  statement.  Presently 
his  mind  wanns  to  the  subject;  his  emotions  are  kindled 
by  the  thought  of  some  great  gospel  truth  or  duty ;  his 
movements  become  impassioned ;  his  face  begins  to 
glow,  and  the  blue  eyes  flash  lightning;  his  voice,  though 
harsh  and  not  well  governed,  swells  into  mighty  power; 
he  takes  possession  of  the  entire  assembly,  leading  them 
where  he  will,  filling  their  souls  with  some  strong  con- 
viction or  some  enthusiastic  purpose.  As  he  sits  down, 
exhausted  and  panting,  and  the  high-wrought  counte- 
nance subsides  into  gentleness  and  humility,  you  scarcely 
think  of  admiring  the  man ;  your  mind  is  all  engrossed 
with  the  persuasion  that  his  views  are  right,  that  no  one 
need  attempt  to  answer  him,  that  we  ought  to  do,  must 
do,  will  do  just  what  he  has  said.     In  turning  away  at 


154         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

the  close  of  the  session  you  hear  one  member  say  to 
another :  'Poindexter  was  ahnost  up  to  his  best  to-day,' 
and  the  reply  is  made :  'Oh,  well,  we  have  nobody  else 
that  can  speak  like  that,  but  I  have  heard  him  do  better 
far.'  " 

In  his  estimate  of  Poindexter  as  a  public  speaker  Dr. 
Broadus  says :  "Dr.  Poindexter  possessed,  with  a  partial 
exception  in  one  respect,  all  the  faculties  and  the  forces 
which  make  up  a  true  orator.  He  had  great  argumenta- 
tive power.  He  delighted  not  simply  in  logical  analysis, 
but  in  logical  construction.  .  .  .  He  was  a  man  of 
strong  and  excitable  feelings,  which,  when  aroused  by 
some  great  thought  of  Christian  truth  or  duty,  would 
swell,  as  he  went  on  arguing  and  appealing,  to  the  loftiest 
passion  till  they  threatened  to  carry  him  away  into  a 
wild  extravagance,  till  it  seemed  that  only  a  little  more 
and  he  would  be  a  raving  madman,  even  as  was  some- 
times charged  by  enemies  upon  Demosthenes  and  upon 
Paul.  Yet  it  was  wonderful  to  see  how  completely  these 
swelling,  passionate  feelings  were  controlled  by  his 
mighty  will.  .  .  .  Another  characteristic  of  the 
orator  is  imagination.  .  .  .  Certainly  in  his  higher 
flights  of  impassioned  appeal  he  used  imagery  that  re- 
vealed imagination  of  a  high  order.  .  .  .  His  lan- 
guage was  excellent  in  point  of  clearness  and  careful 
discrimination,  and  considering  that  he  so  often  spoke 
without  immediate  preparation,  its  terseness  and  force 
was  very  remarkable.  .  .  .  The  one  great  and 
marked  defect  in  Poindexter 's  public  speaking  lay  in  his 
voice.  It  had  considerable  power  and  did  not  lack  some 
elements  of  native  sweetness.  But  it  was  seriously 
damaged  by  the  throat  disease  which  began  during  his 
college  life,  and  clung  to  him  through  all  the  years.  The 
harshness  thus  produced  was  aggravated  by  his  serious 
deafness,  which  prevented  delicate  modulations  of  tone. 
And  he   early    fell  into    a    faulty   vocal   habit. 


ABRAM  MAER  POINDEXTER  155 

This  surpassingly  excitable  young  minister,  speaking  in 
a  storm  of  passion  to  large  audiences  at  some  protracted 
meeting  or  association,  perhaps  in  the  open  air,  gradu- 
ally fell  into  a  sing-song,  which  grew  upon  him  through 
life.  ...  In  his  later  life  Dr.  Poindexter  much 
regretted  this  blemish  in  his  speaking,  and  would  care- 
fully guard  against  it  in  all  the  calmer  parts  of  a  dis- 
course ;  but  when  he  became  greatly  excited  the  old  habit 
of  utterance  reasserted  its  sway." 

Dr.  Broadus  quotes  Dr.  A.  B.  Brown,  himself  a 
brilliant  orator,  in  regard  to  Dr.  Poindexter,  as  follows : 
"He  commenced  dry,  calm,  and  perfectly  self-possessed. 
His  congregation  might  indicate  some  impatience  with 
these  drier  beginnings  and  demand  by  their  manner  a 
premature  introduction  of  the  luxury  of  more  glowing 
thought  and  intenser  passion.  But  the  enthusiasm  must 
grow  out  of  the  logic  and  the  movement;  and  he  would 
not  be  hurried.  So  he  regularly  increased  in  passion  to 
the  end.  Logic  was  dominant  even  in  the  sometimes 
tempestuous  conclusion."  Dr.  Broadus  also  quotes  the 
following  words  from  Dr.  Cornelius  Tyree :  "Under  the 
sermons,  and  especially  the  addresses  of  Poindexter,  I 
have  witnessed  greater  effects  than  under  the  addresses 
of  any  other  great  preacher  of  Virginia." 

While  Dr.  Poindexter  was  pleading  for  money  for 
the  several  great  enterprises  that  he  represented  there 
w^ere  many  by-products  of  his  sermons  and  addresses. 
As  an  evidence  of  this  it  should  be  remembered  that  one 
of  these  sermons  led  a  youth,  named  John  A.  Broadus, 
to  decide  to  be  a  preacher.  In  August,  1846,  Dr.  Poin- 
dexter preached  before  the  Association,  at  Upperville, 
on  the  parable  of  the  talents.  During  the  intermission 
young  Broadus  sought  his  pastor,  and,  with  a  choking 
voice,  said :  "Brother  Grimsley,  the  question  is  decided ; 
I  must  try  to  be  a  preacher." 

Dr.  Poindexter  did  not  limit  his  appeals  for  money 
to  his  public  addresses.     He  saw  men  in  their  homes  and 


156         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

urged  them  to  give,  and  his  importunity  was  hard  to 
resist.  During  his  work  for  Richmond  College  he 
visited  Dr.  Richard  Hugh  Bagby.  and  together  these 
two  men  set  out  on  a  round  of  visits  for  subscriptions. 
Dr.  A.  Bagby  thus  describes  the  incident:  "He  reached 
the  house  of  my  brother  about  nightfall,  and  next  morn- 
ing proposed  to  my  brother  to  get  into  his  buggy,  hitch- 
ing two  horses,  and  go  with  him.  My  brother  had  no 
horse  available  save  a  young  colt  that  had  never  been 
hitched.  The  horses  were  harnessed  up  and  they  started 
out.  Towards  midday  they  reached  a  byroad  encom- 
passed with  many  stumps  and  fallen  trees.  My  brother, 
a  good  horseman,  was  driving,  when  soon  the  horses 
became  restive  and  threatened  mischief.  Poindexter  at 
once  grasped  the  reins,  saying:  'Give  me  those  reins, 
Brother  Hugh.'  The  horses  seemed  at  once  to  recognize 
that  they  were  in  the  hands  of  a  master,  quieted  down, 
and  they  proceeded  on  their  trip.  It  was,  I  believe,  on 
the  same  trip  that  he  made  an  attempt  to  secure  a  sub- 
scription from  one  of  the  wealthier  members,  who  loved 
his  money.  Poindexter  plied  all  his  arguments  without 
success,  asking  for  $500.  Finally,  as  a  clinching  argu- 
ment, he  said:  'Brother  A.,  we  have  forty  young  men 
studying  for  the  ministry  at  Richmond  College.'  Said 
Brother  A.  in  reply :  Tt  is  not  possible  you  are  going  to 
turn  all  them  loose  upon  us.'  The  story  goes  that  he  was 
offered  $5  as  a  sort  of  safe-conscience  fund,  but  this 
Poindexter  declined  to  receive."  On  another  occasion 
he  followed  a  brother  to  the  field  where  he  was  harrow- 
ing. The  man  protested  that  he  could  not  give,  and  that 
he  did  not  have  time  to  hear  the  agent's  story.  What  did 
Dr.  Poindexter  do  but  take  a  seat  on  the  harrow,  thus 
making  the  teeth  go  deeper  into  the  soil,  and  talk  Rich- 
mond College  as  the  farmer  drove.  Dr.  Geo.  W.  Beale 
thus  describes  a  visit  Dr.  Poindexter  made  to  his  home 
in  Westmoreland,  when  working  for  Richmond  College: 


ABRAM  MAER  POINDEXTER  157 

**  .  .  .  He  was  seated  in  a  sulky  drawn  by  a  com- 
pact, well-kept  bay  horse.  .  .  .  His  arrival  was 
hailed  by  me  with  intense  satisfaction,  as  offering  an 
opportunity  to  become  personally  acquainted  with  one 
who  had  become  justly  eminent  among  the  Baptist 
ministry  of  the  South.  .  .  .  When  the  time  came 
to  retire  I  conducted  him  to  his  room,  and  as  soon  as  he 
entered  it  he  remarked  that  he  had  met  with  an  accident, 
at  the  same  time  pointing  to  an  ugly  rent  in  his  black 
pants,  as  though  he  had  been  in  violent  contact  with  a 
nail.  He  declined  my  repeated  offer  to  take  the  garment 
to  be  mended  for  him,  but  proceeded  to  open  his  satchel 
and  to  draw  forth  needle  and  thread,  and  very  soon,  with 
something  of  the  skill  and  ease  of  a  seamstress,  he 
quickly  repaired  the  damage.  He  proposed  quite  early 
next  morning  to  set  out  on  his  canvass  from  house  to 
house  for  subscriptions  to  the  college,  and  I  offered  to 
accompany  him.  ...  As  we  rode  together  that 
day,  his  conversation  flowed  in  an  animated  and  easy 
strain,  and  left  upon  my  mind  a  pleasing  impression. 

During  the  afternoon  we  entered  the  gate  of  a 
farmer  whose  teams,  somewhat  lean  and  ill-cared  for, 
were  struggling  with  the  plows  nearby.  'Ah,'  said  he, 
'this  brother  is  not  a  good  farmer.  An  essential  con- 
dition of  good  farming  is  to  keep  teams  in  good  order.' 

At  the  close  of  the  day,  in  the  chamber  where 
he  was  to  rest  for  the  night,  he  remarked  that  I  had 
kindly  aided  him  in  finding  the  brethren  and  getting  their 
subscriptions,  and  then,  concentrating  upon  me  a  direct 
and  penetrating  gaze,  he  pressed  the  inquiry :  'What  are 
you  going  to  do  for  the  college?'  I  yielded  to  the  inevi- 
table and  signed  one  of  the  bonds.  On  the  morrow,  when 
he  had  taken  his  seat  in  his  sulky  and  was  in  the  act  of 
driving  away,  he  extended  his  hand  and  gave  mine  a 
cordial  parting  grasp,  at  the  same  time  saying:  'My 
young  brother,  aim  high,  but  walk  loiv.'  " 


158         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

With  remarkable  fellowship  and  success  James  B. 
Taylor  and  A.  M.  Poindexter  worked  together  under 
the  Foreign  Mission  Board.  They  were  in  many 
respects  so  different  that  it  was  predicted  they  would  not 
be  able  "to  work  and  live  together  without  unpleasant 
collisions."  This  prediction  never  came  true.  Dr.  Geo. 
B.  Taylor  says :  "  .  .  .  Their  mutual  respect,  love, 
confidence,  and  forbearance  was  perfect.  I  speak  what 
I  know  when  I  say  that  never  was  there  a  cloud  as  big 
as  a  man's  hand  between  them."  Their  labors  were 
great.  Dr.  Taylor  wrote  in  his  diary :  "This  has  been 
a  very  busy  week.  With  Brother  Poindexter  assisting, 
I  have  employed  every  spare  hour  in  appealing  to 
churches  and  individual  Christians  in  the  South  for  help 
in  our  need  as  a  Foreign  Mission  Board.  It  is  pleasant 
to  have  Brother  P.  with  me."  Dr.  Poindexter,  speaking 
of  himself  and  Dr.  Taylor,  said:  "Often  we  worked, 
with  short  intervals,  from  nine  in  the  morning  until 
twelve  or  one  at  night  to  prepare  for  a  trip,  and  then 
would  start  and  travel  day  and  night  to  reach  some  dis- 
tant meeting,  or  to  visit  some  of  the  more  out-of-the- 
way  churches  to  return  and  find  an  accumulation  of 
work."  As  a  secretary  of  the  Foreign  Board.  Dr.  Poin- 
dexter was  most  friendly  towards  and  interested  in  other 
great  causes.  He  was  willing  to  throw  his  whole  soul 
into  an  appeal  for  some  other  great  denominational  in- 
terest, being  wise  enough  to  see  that  this  was  good 
policy,  and  generous  enough  to  want  all  the  great  enter- 
prises to  prosper.  In  1857,  he  made  a  great  speech  at 
Raleigh,  in  behalf  of  Wake  Forest  College,  that  resulted 
in  a  few  minutes  in  the  raising  of  $27,000  for  endow- 
ment. Governor  Thomas  Bragg,  "no  mean  master  of 
oratory  himself,"  declared  that  speech  to  be  the  most 
powerful  he  had  ever  heard  in  his  life.  Dr.  Poindexter's 
great  speeches  on  foreign  missions  were  far  reaching  in 
their  blessed  influence,  such  an  address  at  a  State  con- 


ABRAM  MAER  POINDEXTER  159 

vention  being  "felt  by  all  the  more  susceptible  minds 
throughout  the  State."     The  apostrophe  of  Dr.   Fuller, 
in  a  missionary  address  at  the  meeting  of  the  Southern 
Baptist  Convention  in  Raleigh,  N.  C,  just  a  few  days 
after  Dr.  Poindexter's  death,  well  indicates  the  estimate 
the  brotherhood  placed  on  his  work  for  foreign  missions. 
Dr.  Broadus  says    that  Dr.   Fuller  spoke    somewhat  as 
follows:    "I  almost  think  sometimes  that  I  would  not 
exchange  places  with  an  angel  in  heaven;    if  I  did,  it 
would  not  be  with  Gabriel,  but  rather  with  that  angel 
whom  John  saw  flying  in  the  midst  of  heaven,  carrying 
the  everlasting  gospel  to  every  nation  and  kindred  and 
tongue  and  people,  saying  with  a  loud  voice,  Tear  God, 
and  give  glory  to  him.'    Fly  faster,  O  angel,  on  thy  mis- 
sion;   sweet    angel,  fly  faster;    and  if    thou  canst    not 
quicken  thy  flight  go  turn  over  thy  commission  to  Poin- 
dexter's mighty  spirit,  and  he  shall  bear  the  message  with 
more    rapid   wing  and    more  glowing  love    than  thou 
canst,    O   angel.      He   knows   a   love   thou   canst   never 
know ;   he  is  now  singing  a  song  thou  canst  never  learn 
— the  song  of  a  redeemed  soul  bought  by  the  precious 
blood  of  Christ." 

Two  incidents  which  Dr.  A.  Bagby  describes,  and  one 
given  by  Dr.  Broadus.  show  phases  of  Dr.  Poindexter's 
character.  Dr.  Bagby  says:  'The  General  Association 
had  met  one  year  in  the  city  of  Petersburg.  The  crowd 
was  very  great.  .  .  .  Poindexter,  my  brother,  and 
myself  and  one  other  brother  were  in  a  room  together. 
Sunday  morning  came,  and,  while  the  rest  of  us  were 
making  our  toilet.  Dr.  Poindexter  was  still  sleeping. 
Presently  my  brother  began  to  tickle  his  ear  with  a 
straw.  Several  times  Poindexter  brushed  away  the 
imaginary  fly,  but  presently  detecting  the  source  of  his 
annoyance,  he  opened  his  eyes  and  said :  'Richard  Hugh, 
stop  this.  If  you  don't  Pll  get  up  and  throw  you  down.' 
The  straw  came  again  when  Poindexter  sprang  up  and 


160         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

they  wrestled  for  a  minute  or  two,  when  another  brother 
said :  'Why,  brethren,  this  is  Sunday  morning,  and  you 
are  both  to  preach  to-day.'  Meanwhile  the  younger  of 
the  two  was  victor,  and  laid  the  Doctor  quietly  down  on 
the  bed.  An  incident  in  Dr.  Poindexter's  life,  which  is 
not  usually  known,  I  believe  is  worthy  of  record.  I  give 
it  at  the  mouth  of  Rev.  Samuel  G.  Mason,  who  was  an 
eye-witness.  Dr.  Poindexter  had  come  to  aid  Mr.  Mason 
in  a  meeting  of  days.  One  morning  there  came  into  the 
congregation  a  young  man,  the  escort  of  several  young 
ladies,  seating  themselves  in  the  gallery.  They  were  not 
reverent  in  their  feelings,  and,  while  Poindexter  was 
preaching,  they  employed  themselves  in  mutual  conver- 
sation, annoying  persons  around  them.  The  preacher 
bore  it  for  a  time,  by  and  by  calling  attention  to  disorder 
in  the  congregation,  and  when  it  continued  against  his 
quiet  remonstrance,  he  fixed  his  eyes  upon  the  offenders, 
insisting  that  they  observe  the  rules  of  church  decorum. 
When  the  congregation  was  dismissed,  and  the  preacher 
being  the  last  to  emerge  from  the  house,  he  found  the 
young  man  standing  at  the  door  with  a  horsewhip  in  his 
hand,  and  he  at  once  began  raining  down  blows  upon 
the  shoulders  of  the  unoffending  minister.  Brother 
Mason  said  he  was  standing  out  in  the  yard,  and  as  soon 
as  his  attention  was  drawn  he  ran  to  interfere.  He  said 
that  when  he  reached  the  scene,  he  found  the  young  man 
himself  quite  unnerved,  while  the  preacher  stood,  with- 
out a  quiver,  meekly  bearing  all  without  apparently  a 
ruffle.  He  said  that  when  he  reached  them,  it  seemed 
that  the  whip  would  fall  from  the  young  avenger's  hand." 
This  incident  which  Dr.  Broadus  tells  was  recalled  by 
Dr.  B.  Manly,  Jr.  He,  Poindexter,  and  A.  B.  Brown, 
cut  off  by  torrents  of  rain  from  going  to  an  Association, 
spent  a  day  at  the  house  of  Brother  Bird  L.  Parrel,  in 
southern  Virginia.  He  sa3^s  that  "Poindexter  and 
Brown  fairly  revelled  in  the  joy  of  debate.     There  was 


ABRAM  MAER  POINDEXTER  161 

a  trundle  bed  in  the  room  they  occupied,  and  the  two 
would  just  roll  on  the  bed  like  school-boys,  and  discuss 
every  question  on  which  they  had  ever  differed,  fighting 
with  fierce  glee  along  every  ramification  of  each  suc- 
ceeding topic."  Now  and  then  they  would  turn  eagerly 
to  Manly  that  he  would  act  as  arbiter  of  some  dispute, 
while  the  kindly  host  looked  on  and  listened  by  the  hour 
with  immense  amusement. 

While    Dr.    Poindexter   is    remembered    chiefly    as    a 
speaker,  and  while  he  was  the  author  of  no  book,  still 
there  are  some  of  his  writings  which  help  to  show  us  the 
character  of  his  preaching  and  of  the  man.     While  he 
was  connected   with   the   Foreign   Board,    the   work   of 
editing  The  Commission,  a  monthly  missionary  maga- 
zine, which  lived  for  four  years  and  until  stopped  by  the 
War,  was  in  the  main  upon  his  shoulders.     It  contained 
"careful  discussion  to  vindicate  the  scriptural  propriety 
of    Foreign    Mission    Boards    and    other    machinery." 
There  were  articles  also  on  "The  Lord's  Day — A  Neg- 
lected Ordinance."  on    the  duty  of    reading  the   Bible 
every   day.    and   on    frequently   conversing   with   others 
about   its  teachings,  on  the  desirable  qualifications    for 
foreign  missionary  work,  on  Faith  and  Repentance.     As 
early  as  1843  he  had  published  in  the  Religious  Herald  a 
series  of  articles  on  the  connection  between  baptism  and 
the  remission  of  sins.     "These  papers  show  his  profound 
study  of  the  controversies  excited  by  Mr.  Campbell  and 
his   followers."     In    1850  he  published   in   The  Baptist 
Preacher  three   sermons  on   Imputation,    which   proved 
that  he  was  "a  master  in  theological  thinking."     He  also 
published  an  article  on  "VaHd  Baptism."  and  a  series  of 
articles   on  the   following  metaphysical  and   theological 
topics:    "Cause  and  Effect,"   "Uncaused  Being,"  "Cre- 
ation,"   "The    Creator    and    Sovereign,"    "Revelation," 
"Miracles,"  "The  Law  of  Progress  in  Its  Application  to 
Theology,"    "Conscience."      He  prepared   a   treatise   on 


162         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

"The  Lord's  Supper"  that  was  never  pubhshed.  Con- 
cerning the  argument  in  this  treatise,  Dr.  Curry  said : 
"The  argument  to  my  mind  is  compact,  lucid,  and  un- 
answerable." 

During  the  Civil  War,  Dr.  Poindexter's  two  sons, 
both  splendid  young  men,  went  forth  to  the  defense  of 
their  country.  The  younger,  William  Jordan  Poindexter, 
a  youth  of  seventeen,  volunteered  in  a  company  of 
dragoons.  One  morning,  while  he  was  on  picket  guard, 
he  was  killed  by  the  accidental  discharge  of  his  own 
pistol.  The  older  son,  Abram  Wimbish  Poindexter, 
volunteered  in  an  infantry  company,  of  which  he  soon 
became  captain,  upon  the  death  of  Captain  Easley.  Be- 
fore Petersburg,  July  30,  1864,  his  company  was  espe- 
cially exposed.  Addressing  the  remnant  of  his  com- 
pany, he  said :  "Boys,  we  must  hold  this  position,  or  die 
in  our  places,  for  the  salvation  of  the  town  depends 
upon  the  enemy's  not  carrying  these  works."  Presently 
an  officer  rode  by  and  seeing  the  remnant  of  a  company 
standing  firm  asked  who  was  their  commander.  They 
replied,  as  they  pointed  to  a  dead  body :  "There's  our 
captain ;  he  told  us  we  must  hold  these  works  or  die  in 
their  defense,  and  we  mean  to  do  it."  And  they  did. 
Dr.  Poindexter's  only  daughter,  Fannie,  was  married  in 
December,  1865,  to  Rev.  James  B.  Taylor,  Jr. 

On  September  14,  1867,  Dr.  Poindexter  suffered  that 
greatest  of  all  bereavements,  the  death  of  his  wife.  For 
thirty  years  they  had  walked  together.  This  separation 
so  moved  him  that  it  is  said  he  was  thrown  into  literal 
convulsions.  Shortly  after  this  great  loss  he  decided  to 
make  his  home  with  his  son-in-law.  Rev.  J.  B.  Taylor, 
Jr.,  at  Culpeper.  Here  he  had  the  companionship  of  his 
daughter  and  grandchildren,  and  when  he  gave  up  his 
agency  in  June,  1870,  he  hoped  in  the  quiet  of  the  Cul- 
peper home  to  put  into  written  form  some  of  the  results 
of   his   lifelong  thinking    in   theology   and    philosophy. 


ABRAM  MAER  POINDEXTER  163 

Alas!  the  circle  in  Culpeper  was  sadly  broken  by  the 
hand  of  death,  on  November  7,   1870,  when  the  spirit 
of  that  lovely  woman,  Fannie  Poindexter  Taylor    went 
home  to  God.     On  June  27,  1871,  Dr.  Poindexter  was 
united  m  marriage  with  Miss  Marcia  P.  Scott,  of  Orange 
County,   Virginia.      His  home   was   now   on  his   wife's 
farm,  near  Gordonsville,  Va.     He  was  now  quite  active 
with  his  pen,  writing  numerous  articles  for  the  Religious 
Herald.      He  also  became  pastor  of    the  Louisa  Court- 
House    and    Lower    Goldmine    churches,    insisting    on 
preaching  twice  a  month  at  each  church,  although  their 
time-honored  custom  had  been  to  have  but  one  service 
each  month.     In  the  last  days  of  the  following  April  he 
was  indisposed.     On  May  4th,  he  wrote  to  his  son-in- 
law :    "I  have  no  idea  that  I  can  go  to  the  Convention 
If  1  were  free  from  disease  I  should  be  too  weak  for 
such  a  trip.      Last  May  another  was    prevented    from 
attending  and  has  since  gone  to  a  more  glorious  Con- 
vention."    He  alluded  to  the  death  of  Dr.  J.  B    Taylor 
which  had  occurred  the  preceding  December.     Typhoid 
pneumonia  and  bronchitis  resulted  in  his  death,  May  7 
18/2.     He  was  buried  in  Orange  County. 

At  the  General   Association,   held  in   Staunton,   Mav 
30th  to  June  1.  1872,  Rev.  Dr.  T.  W.  Sydnor  made    at 
the  opening  session,  an  address,  as  the  retiring  president 
in  which  he  alluded  to  Drs.  Witt,  Taylor,  Poindexter! 
and  L.  W.  Allen,  who  had  passed  to  their  reward  since 
the  last  meeting  of  the  body.     At  the  request  of  the  body 
his    references    to   these    brethren    were   printed    in   the 
minutes.      In  his  estimate  of    Dr.  Poindexter  he  said  • 
Poindexter  was  a  Boanerges,  a  son  of  thunder,  earnest 
impetuous,  resolute,  resistless.     Clear  in  his  conceptions 
ot  truth,  strong  in  his  convictions  of  duty,  jealous  for 
the  honor  of  his  Master,   when  aroused   on  any  great 
question   of    Christian    obligation— and     he    was    easily 
aroused— there  was    no  withstanding  the   force  of    his 


164         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

eloquence.  His  utterances,  always  weighty  and  power- 
ful, were  at  times  absolutely  terrific  and  overwhelming. 
By  his  logic  and  his  pathos  he  carried  all  before  him." 

As  has  been  already  noted,  when  the  General  Associa- 
tion met  in  Staunton,  in  the  fall  of  1886,  Rev.  Dr.  John 
A.  Broadus  delivered,  before  the  Virginia  Baptist  His- 
torical Society,  a  memorial  address  on  the  life  and  char- 
acter of  Dr.  Poindexter.  This  address,  which  was  pub- 
lished in  a  volume  of  sermons  and  addresses  by  Dr. 
Broadus,  has  been  freely  drawn  upon  for  this  sketch,  in 
some  cases  the  very  words  being  used,  even  when  quota- 
tion marks  do  not  appear. 


HENRY  W.  WATKINS* 

In  December,  1801,  Henry  W.  Watkins  was  born  in 
Powhatan  County,  Virginia.  He  was  converted  in 
1831,  and  the  next  year  began  to  preach.  The  Presby- 
tery that  ordained  him  in  1832  consisted  of  Edward 
Baptist,  John  Wooldridge,  and  E.  C.  Lowry.  He  suc- 
ceeded Elder  John  Wooldridge  as  pastor  of  the  Pow- 
hatan Church.  After  a  year  in  this  relationship  he  re- 
moved to  Richmond,  and  became  the  pastor  of  Belvidere 
(now  Pine  Street)  Church,  where  he  served  for  several 
years.  Subsequently  and  until  the  close  of  the  Civil 
War  he  was  pastor  of  the  Second  African  Church,  Rich- 
mond, Va.  He  died  March  19,  1872.  He  had  a  kind 
and  gentle  disposition,  a  warm  and  generous  heart,  an 
imperturbable  spirit,  and  a  beautiful  Christian  character. 
He  was  always  hopeful,  cheerful,  and  happy,  and  in  the 
social  circle  was  agreeable  and  entertaining,  enjoying 
telling  or  hearing  a  joke.  As  a  preacher  he  was  earnest 
and  faithful.  He  was  diligent  in  his  study  of  the 
Scriptures,  and  next  to  the  Bible  he  loved  and  was 
familiar  with  the  practical  portions  of  the  works  of 
Andrew  Fuller. 


♦Abbreviated   from    Moore's    "History    of    the    Middle    District 
Association." 


165 


ABSALOM   CORNELIUS  DEMPSEY 

In  the  County  of  Botetourt,  upon  a  high  hill,  that  com- 
mands an  entrancing  view  of  the  Alleghanies  towards 
the  west,  of  the  Blue  Ridge  to  the  east,  and  of  fertile 
farms  near  at  hand,  there  stands  a  handsome  country 
Baptist  meeting-house,  dedicated  to  the  worship  of  God, 
Sunday,  May  7,  1911.  On  either  side  of  the  pulpit 
hangs  a  large  portrait.  These  portraits  are  said  to  be 
very  faithful  likenesses  of  ''Father  Dempsey"  and  his 
wife.  Out  in  the  churchyard  is  a  white  marble  shaft 
that  bears  several  inscriptions.  About  the  middle  of  the 
shaft  one  reads :  "A  people's  tribute  to  exalted  virtue." 
On  the  base  of  the  monument  are  these  words : 

In  Memory  of 

Absalom   Cornelius   Dempsey. 

Born  December  17.  1787;    died  June  26,  1872. 

A  sinner  saved  by  grace ;    a  man  of  God ;   a  minister  of  the  Gospel. 

Himself  a  living  epistle  to  the  world, 

for  more  than  threescore  years  he  proclaimed  salvation 

by  grace,  through  faith,  not  of  works. 

He  fought  a  good  fight;    he  finished  his  course;    he  kept  the  faith. 

As  he  lived  so  he  died  in  the  confidence  and  love  of 

all  men — in  the  triumphs  of 

Redeeming  Grace. 

Concerning  this  tombstone  at  Mill  Creek  Baptist 
Church,  Dr.  Jeter  wrote  in  the  Herald  as  follows:  "It 
is  proposed  to  rear  a  monument  to  the  memory  of  Elder 
Dempsey.  That  is  proper.  He  deserves  it.  If  the  shaft 
should  correspond  with  the  diligence  and  fidelity  of  his 
ministrations,  and  the  beauty  of  his  character,  it  will  rise 
high,  stand  firm,  and  be  adorned  by  the  sculptor's  highest 
art,  but  his  best  and  most  enduring  monument  has  al- 
ready been  founded.  The  souls  converted  by  his 
ministry,  the  churches  organized  and  edified  by  his 
labors,  and  the  influences  for  good  brought  into  opera- 

166 


ABSALOM  CORNELIUS  DEMPSEY       167 

tion  by  his  agency  are  his  everlasting  memorial.  .  .  . 
If  at  the  end  of  a  thousand  years  we  could  visit  the  smil- 
ing valley  in  which  Dempsey  spent  his  life  and  labors, 
we  should,  in  all  probability,  find  no  trace  of  his  marble 
monument,  and  no  recollection  of  his  humble  toils,  and 
no  signs  of  his  holy  influence ;  but  the  all-discerning  eye 
would  perceive  in  many  a  pious,  happy  household,  and  in 
many  a  devout,  worshipping  assembly  results  due,  in  no 
small  degree,  to  the  prayers,  example,  and  labors  of  the 
long- forgotten  pastor  of  the  valley.  The  Sabbaths 
would  have  a  stillness  and  a  sweetness  and  a  sanctity 
which  they  would  not  have,  had  not  the  region  been 
blessed  wnth  the  presence  and  influence  of  Dempsey." 

The  county  where  his  ashes  rest  gave  him  birth. 
About  eight  miles  from  the  place  of  his  death,  he  first 
saw  the  light  in  the  town  of  Pattonsburg,  on  James 
River,  which  flows  through  Botetourt  County.  His 
parents  were  of  Irish  descent.  The  study  of  the  Bible, 
without  note  or  comment,  led  him  to  be  a  Baptist,  and 
August,  1805,  he  was  baptized  by  Elder  William  Moor- 
man. He  was  reared  to  the  trade  of  cabinetmaking, 
and  continued  the  business  late  in  life,  often  working 
during  the  night  that  he  might  find  time  to  meet  his  ap- 
pointments as  a  minister.  "This  same  year  he  and  his 
wife  and  sister  moved  their  letters,  in  company  with 
some  others  from  Rock  Spring  Church  some  two  miles 
below  Buchanan,  to  Mill  Creek.  In  1814,  he  was  or- 
dained as  deacon,  and  the  next  year  clerk  of  this  church. 
In  1819,  he  was  licensed  to  preach,  and  in  1821  ordained 
to  the  ministry,  the  Presbytery  consisting  of  Elders  Wm. 
Davis  and  Joshua  Burnet,  and  elected  pastor  of  Mill 
Creek  Church,  a  position  he  filled  until  his  death ;  from 
1867,  however,  he  was  pastor  emeritus.  In  1822,  that 
he  might  be  able  to  reach  more  of  the  people  and  do 
more  for  the  cause,  he  had  a  branch  of  Mill  Creek 
Church,  or  rather  a  mission  point,  established  in  Fin- 


168         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

castle,  the  county  seat  of  Botetourt,  this  work  being 
under  his  care."  In  1841,  the  Valley  Association  was 
organized  and  the  Mill  Creek  Church,  at  the  instance  of 
their  pastor,  left  the  Strawberry  to  become  a  member  of 
the  new  organization.  The  first  moderator  of  this  asso- 
ciation was  the  Mill  Creek  pastor,  and  to  this  position 
of  honor  he  was  elected  twenty-six  times,  covering  a 
period  of  some  thirteen  years,  since  in  those  days  the 
body  had  two  meetings  annually.  Six  times  along 
through  the  years  he  was  called  on  to  preach  before  the 
body  the  introductory  sermon.  ''In  1843,  he  fought  with 
all  his  might  Elder  Hugard,  who  tried  to  introduce  some 
spurious  doctrine  into  the  church  which  was  contrary  to 
Baptist  teaching.  In  1847,  he  offered  his  resignation  as 
pastor  of  Mill  Creek,  but  the  church  unanimously  re- 
fused to  receive  it,  and  elected  him  pastor  for  an  in- 
definite period.  In  1850,  he  first  commenced  to  talk  of 
a  new  church  house,  and  for  nearly  four  years  labored 
to  convince  the  church  that  they  needed  a  new  and  a 
comfortable  house  of  worship,  and  in  the  spring  he  had 
the  house  completed  .  .  .  and  on  the  first  Sabbath 
in  July,  1854,  it  was  dedicated.  In  1856,  through  his 
influence,  the  Back  Creek  Church  was  organized,  many 
of  the  Mill  Creek  members  going  into  the  new  organi- 
zation, and  Brother  Dempsey  being  pastor.  In  the  fall 
of  1865,  the  negroes,  who  were  members  of  Mill  Creek, 
asked  for  letters  to  form  a  church  of  their  own  at 
Lauderdale ;  he  advised  the  church  to  grant  the  letters, 
and  assisted  in  the  organization  of  the  new  church." 

His  labors  were  not  confined  to  the  bounds  of  the  Mill 
Creek  Church,  but  extended  over  the  counties  of  Bote- 
tourt, Giles,  Craig,  Bath,  Rockbridge,  Bedford,  Roanoke, 
and  into  Montgomery.  Even  the  Blue  Ridge  and  the  Alle- 
ghanies  did  not  limit  his  field  of  usefulness.  Among  his 
associates  in  the  ministry  in  this  broad  field  were  Elders 
Joshua  Burnet,  J.  Nash  Johnston,  Wm.   Harris,  James 


ABSALOM  CORNELIUS  DEMPSEY       169 

and  Whitfield  Leftwich.  In  those  old  days  it  was  the 
custom,  on  a  preaching  occasion,  for  several  sermons  to 
be  delivered  by  various  preachers,  one  right  after  the 
other.  Dr.  Jeter  tells  of  such  a  day  in  his  early  man- 
hood, which  made  a  deep  impression  on  Daniel  Witt  and 
himself.  That  day  "Father  Dempsey"  was  one  of  four 
ministers  who  preached  consecutive  sermons.  Dr.  Jeter 
says:  "Dempsey's  text  was:  There  were  six  steps  to 
the  throne,'  II  Chronicles  9:18.  In  this  day  it  may  seem 
strange  that  he  should  have  selected  so  fanciful  a  passage 
as  the  ground  work  of  his  remarks.  It  should  be  remem- 
bered, however,  that  at  that  time  the  custom  of  allego- 
rizing or  spiritualizing  the  Scriptures  was  almost  univer- 
sal among  the  learned  as  well  as  among  the  illiterate. 
Ouite  likely  the  preacher  found  the  outlines  of  his  dis- 
course in  'Solomon's  Temple  Spiritualized,'  by  that  wise 
master  builder,  John  Bunyan.  At  this  late  date  we  can 
not  recall  the  train  of  thought  in  the  sermon:  but  we 
are  quite  sure,  from  our  subsequent  acquaintance  with 
the  preacher,  and  from  the  general  character  of  his 
preaching,  that  it  was  evangelical  and  uttered  in  an 
affectionate,  earnest,  and  faithful  manner."  He  was  a 
pioneer.  Much  of  the  country  over  which  he  traveled 
and  in  which  he  proclaimed  the  gospel  had  never  been  ex- 
plored, and  many  of  the  churches  of  the  Valley  Baptist 
Association  owe  their  origin  to  his  labors.  "Although  he 
had  not  enjoyed  early  literary  advantages,  he  was  a  care- 
ful student  of  the  Bible  and  Biblical  literature,  and  in  his 
late  years  became  an  able  expounder  of  Christian 
doctrines  and  no  mean  antagonist  in  theological  discus- 
sions. Neither  an  orator  nor  a  rhetorician,  his  preach- 
ing was  effective  by  its  simple  solidity  and  earnestness, 
often  accompanied  with  pathos."  His  closest  com- 
panion in  the  ministry  was  Elder  William  Harris.  Dr. 
Jeter  thus  describes  and  contrasts  these  two  men :  "They 
were  near  the  same  age,  entered  the  ministry  about  the 
same  time,  had    enjoyed  about    equal    advantages   for 


170         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

mental  culture,  and  they  were  very  meager,  their  fields 
of  labor  were  contiguous  and  overlapped,  and  con- 
geniality of  spirit  and  pursuits  brought  them  into  frequent 
intercourse  with  each  other.  Dempsey  was  perhaps  the 
better  theologian ;  Harris  was  unmistakably  the  better 
preacher.  The  direct  influence  of  Harris  was  greater 
than  that  of  Dempsey,  but  it  may  well  be  questioned 
whether,  on  the  whole,  the  latter  did  not,  by  his  influence, 
direct  and  indirect,  accomplish  as  much  good  as  the 
former.  They  were  both  moulded  by  the  age  in  which 
they  lived,  and  they  have  left  their  impress  on  the  age 
which  followed.  In  their  respective  counties  they  were 
both  held  in  highest  veneration.  Taking  no  part  in 
politics,  mingling  but  little  with  the  men  of  the  world 
for  worldly  purposes,  and  consecrating  themselves 
wholly  and  disinterestedly  to  their  ministry,  they  rarely 
gave  offence,  and  earned  for .  themselves  an  enviable 
reputation  for  godliness  and  piety."  Dr.  Jeter  further 
describes  "Father  Dempsey"  in  these  words :  "Dempsey 
was  a  remarkable  man — remarkable  not  for  his  talents, 
his  labors,  or  popularity ;  but  for  his  goodness.  He  was 
one  of  the  most  amiable  and  genial  of  men.  A  quiet, 
gentle  humor  ran  through  his  conversation,  which  never 
degenerated  into  'foolish  talking,  nor  jesting,  which  are 
not  becoming,'  and  never  lowered  his  dignity,  even  in  the 
judgment  of  the  most  fastidious,  but  which  imparted  a 
charm  to  his  society  and  made  him  acceptable  in  every 
circle.  Nobody  doubted  his  goodness;  for  his  humility, 
kindness  of  heart,  gentleness  of  manner,  and  inflexible 
devotion  to  truth  and  righteousness  were  patent  to  all." 
Dr.  C.  L.  Cocke  says  of  "Father  Dempsey" :  "Though 
possessing  a  commanding  presence  and  a  venerable  per 
sonal  appearance,  such  was  his  kindly  manner  and  genial 
spirit  that  the  most  timid  child  approached  him  with  the 
utmost  confidence  and  familiarity.  At  times  he  was 
jovial  and  witty,  quick  and  sharp  at  retort,  though  never 
offensive." 


ABSALOM  CORNELIUS  DEMPSEY       171 

Though  very  fond  of  children  Mr.  Dempsey  was  never 
blessed  with  any  children  of  his  own.  He  and  his  wife 
adopted  a  niece,  Miss  Polly  Wrightsman,  and  for  thirty 
years  she  sought  to  repay  their  kindness  and  minister  to 
their  wants.  He  and  his  wife  were  most  devoted  to  each 
other,  and.  of  small  means  and  small  wants,  lived  for 
most  of  their  married  life  in  a  modest  but  neat  and  com- 
fortable home  in  Fincastle.  Some  twelve  years  before 
his  death  his  strength  began  to  fail  and  he  might  have 
lacked  for  the  necessary  things  of  life  if  God  had  not 
raised  up  for  him  a  kind  and  generous  friend,  Mr. 
Robert  Waskey,  who,  with  handsome  hospitality  threw 
open  to  the  preacher's  trio  the  doors  of  his  home.  The 
generous  offer  was  accepted  and  here,  to  the  day  of  his 
death,  the  venerable  preacher  was  cared  for  "with  a 
generosity  and  a  tenderness  which  have  been  rarely 
equalled."  After  his  death,  the  wife  and  adopted 
daughter  were  still  recipients  of  the  gracious  hospitality 
of  this  home. 

At  his  funeral  a  sermon  was  delivered  by  Rev.  G. 
Gray,  of  Fincastle,  from  the  words:  'T  have  fought  a 
good  fight,  I  have  finished  my  course,  I  have  kept  the 
faith,"  and  appropriate  addresses  were  made  by 
ministers  and  laymen  of  other  denominations. 


LITTLEBURY  W.  ALLEN 

Henrico  was  the  birthplace,  and  the  neighboring 
county  of  CaroHne  the  home,  for  the  larger  part  of  his 
life,  of  Littlebury  W.  Allen.  He  was  born  March  26, 
1803.  "As  a  young  man  he  was  gay,  dashing,  ardent, 
aspiring,  ambitious,  and  especially  of  military  honor." 
He  came  first  to  be  known  as  Captain  and  then  as 
Colonel  Allen.  In  later  years  this  ardent  spirit  and  this 
love  for  military  life  helped  to  make  him  an  officer  in 
the  Confederate  Army,  whose  courage  scarcely  knew 
any  bounds,  but  by  this  time  he  was  a  zealous  soldier  of 
Christ  and  a  minister  of  the  gospel,  so  it  came  to  pass 
that,  while  he  was  a  prisoner  on  Johnson's  Island,  he 
was  making  captives  all  the  while  for  Jesus.  He  was 
married  three  times;  his  first  wife  was  Miss  Bradley; 
his  second  wife  Miss  Ann  Martin,  of  Williamsburg, 
Va.,  and  a  sister  of  Dr.  Wm.  Martin,  of  St.  Mary's, 
Md. ;  his  third  was  Miss  Lucy  Martin,  of  Spottsyl- 
vania. 

Mr.  Allen's  ministry  began  in  1835.  His  first  charge 
was  in  Matthews  County,  and  he  supplied  for  a  season 
at  Walnut  Street  Church,  Louisville,  Ky.,  but  the  field 
with  which  his  name  is  most  intimately  associated  was 
made  up  of  the  County  Line  and  Bethany  churches,  in 
Caroline  County,  and  the  section  of  Virginia  where  his 
influence  was  greatest  was  the  territory  of  the  Goshen 
Association.  It  had  been  almost  an  unwritten  law  that 
every  preacher  must  have  at  least  four  churches,  giving 
one  Sunday  a  month  to  each,  so  Mr.  Allen's  having 
only  two  churches,  and  preaching  to  each  twice  a  month, 
was  decidedly  an  innovation.  At  County  Line  he 
"gathered  around  him  a  noble  band  of  brethren  and 
sisters,  who  loved  him  ardently  and  who  fully  under- 
stood him." 

172 


LITTLEBURY  W.  ALLEN  173 

Mr.  Allen's  sphere  of  service  was  by  no  means  limited 
to  his  own  immediate  field.  He  had  unusual  quahfi- 
cations  for  protracted-meeting  work,  and,  as  the  years 
passed,  he  went  in  this  way  again  and  again,  practically 
to  all  the  churches  of  the  Goshen  Association.  His 
labors  in  this  direction  were  doubly  valuable  at  the  time 
when  they  began.  The  preaching  of  the  day  was 
strongly  Calvinistic.  Unitarianism  and  other  dangerous 
views  had  threatened  the  churches,  and  upon  many  of 
them  a  deadly  lethargy  seemed  to  have  fallen.  With  his 
preaching,  Mr.  Allen  soon  had  the  whole  region  in  a 
ferment.  "He  told  men  plainly  what  they  must  do  to 
be  saved,  and  he  told  them  that  they  could  do  it,  and 
that  they  would  be  damned  if  they  didn't  do  it."  Many 
had  doubts  as  to  his  doctrine,  but  all  went  to  hear  him. 
Some  may  have  been  received  into  the  churches  that  had 
had  no  change  of  heart,  but  the  great  majority  came  to 
be  the  working  rank  and  file.  As  to  the  way  a  pro- 
tracted meeting  ought  to  be  conducted  he  had  his  own 
very  decided  views.  One  idea  of  his  was  that  some  one 
person  ought  to  have  absolute  control,  and  in  his  meet- 
ings he  assumed  himself  this  role  of  autocrat.  Before 
going  to  a  church  he  sought  to  understand  local  condi- 
tions, and  then  laid  his  plans  accordingly.  Sometimes 
his  ways  and  words  seemed  harsh,  but  usually  the  result 
showed  that  he  was  right.  Once,  in  the  early  stages  of 
a  meeting,  he  announced  one  day  that  as  the  nights 
were  fine  they  would  meet  every  evening  for  two  hours, 
and  asked  everybody  to  bring  candles.  A  certain 
brother  in  the  church,  who  was  accustomed  to  rule, 
said:  'T  am  so  no-account  I  can  not  come  out  at  night." 
Quick  from  the  preacher  came  the  answer:  "That's  so, 
Brother  W.  Everybody  knows  it.  Go  home,  send  the 
candles,  stay  there  and  pray.  That's  all  we  want  you 
to  do."  By  the  next  night  Brother  W.  was  there,  nor 
did  he  miss  another  evening  service,  though  the  meeting 


174         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

continued  ten  days.  Dr.  A.  E.  Dickinson  tells  of  a 
sharp  rebuke  he  had  from  Mr.  Allen,  when  he  was  a 
young  man.  A  meeting  was  in  progress,  but  there 
seemed  little  interest.  One  day  Mr.  Allen,  calling  Mr. 
Dickinson  by  name,  and  suggesting  that  he  was  to  blame 
for  the  coldness,  exclaimed :  "Here  is  a  young  man  who 
says  he  wants  to  be  a  preacher,  and  yet  instead  of  help- 
ing he  sits  here  as  if  he  were  nailed  to  the  bench  with  a 
tenpenny  nail."  Of  course  the  young  preacher  was  sur- 
prised and  hurt  by  this  remark,  but  Mr.  Allen  did  not, 
when  he  saw  the  young  fellow  in  private,  retract  or 
modify  what  he  had  said.  Some  years  afterwards,  Mr. 
Dickinson  might  have  turned  the  tables  on  Mr.  Allen. 
He  was  helping  Mr.  Allen  in  a  meeting  and  was  doing 
most  of  the  preaching.  One  day,  however,  at  the  last 
moment,  after  it  had  been  arranged  that  Mr.  Dickinson 
should  preach,  Mr.  Allen  said  that  he  would  preach,  as 
he  saw  a  lady  in  the  congregation  whom  he  was  anxious 
to  reach,  and  as  he  had  a  sermon  he  thought  would  fit 
her.  She  was  quite  wealthy  and  not  a  member  of  the 
church.  After  the  service  she  invited  both  the  preachers 
to  come  to  her  table,  and  on  their  way  thither  Mr.  Allen 
informed  Mr.  Dickinson  that  he  thought  he  had  her. 
Scarcely  had  the  dinner  begun,  however,  before  she  said 
she  was  so  sorry  her  overseer  had  not  heard  that  ser- 
mon, as  she  was  sure  it  would  have  fit  him  so  well.  At 
another  place  a  young  man,  angry  with  something  Mr. 
Allen  had  said,  made  threats  of  personal  violence.  At 
his  earliest  opportunity  he  invited  the  young  man  to 
walk  out  into  the  woods  with  him.  Then  he  said  to 
him :  'T  am  not  here  to  fight,  but  to  preach  the  gospel 
of  peace.  If,  however,  you  attack  me  I  shall  give  you 
the  soundest  drubbing  you  ever  had.  I  am  able  to  do 
it  and  I  will  do  it."  Mr.  Allen  was  of  striking  presence; 
"about  six  feet,  straight  and  stoutish,  brisk  and  firm  in 
movement,  he  was  a  man  to  be  noticed  in  any  gather- 
ing.    His  face,  which,  at  this  period  of  his  life  was  not 


LITTLEBURY  W.  ALLEN  175 

bearded,  was  rather  round  and  inclined  to  be  florid  in 
tint,  was  lit  up  by  fine  black  eyes  that  now  twinkled 
with  good  humor,  now  melted  into  tenderness,  and  now 
flamed  with  energy  or  indignation."  Besides  his  ability 
as  a  preacher  he  had  other  gifts  that  gave  him  power 
in  a  meeting.  He  was  able,  in  a  wonderful  way,  to 
remember  names  and  faces.  If  he  met  a  hundred 
people  one  day,  the  next  he  would  know  them  every  one. 
He  was  sanguine,  impulsive,  bold,  self-sufficient,  and 
would  not  have  hesitated  to  preach  to  an  audience  of 
judges  and  senators.  After  his  sermon  he  would  often 
walk  out  into  the  congregation  and  urge  people  to  accept 
Christ.  At  one  service  a  notoriously  wicked  fellow 
remarked  to  some  one  that  if  Mr.  Allen  came  to  talk  to 
him  in  that  way  he  would  mash  his  mouth.  The  next 
sermon  was  on  the  depravity  of  the  human  heart,  and, 
looking  straight  at  this  man,  he  said :  "Yes,  and  you 
have  the  devil  in  you  as  big  as  a  raccoon."  Before 
long  this  man  was  converted. 

While  Mr.  Allen  was  most  successful  as  a  soul  winner, 
other  most  valuable  results  came  as  part  of  the  fruit  of 
his  meetings.  He  had  a  passion  for  building  and  repair- 
ing Baptist  churches.  Mr.  John  Hart,  whose  articles 
in  the  Herald  furnish  some  of  the  material  for  this 
sketch,  says  that  at  this  time  few  of  the  Baptist  meeting- 
houses in  this  district  were  decenter  or  better  than  the 
average  farmer's  barn.  Mr.  Allen  did  much  to  improve 
this  condition  of  things.  At  the  close  of  a  meeting  he 
would  say  that  since  God  had  given  such  a  gracious 
blessing,  the  people  ought  to  show  their  gratitude  and 
build  a  new  and  better  house.  The  subscriptions  would 
come  in,  and  the  enlargement  followed.  Some  twelve 
or  fifteen  excellent  brick  meeting-houses,  in  this  section, 
built  largely  by  his  influence,  stood  as  monuments  to 
his  zeal  and  ability.  Other  important  things,  such  as 
family  worship,  the  taking  of  a  religious  paper,  and  the 
pastor's  salary  if  in  arrears,  were  attended  to  by  him  in 


176         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

his  protracted  meetings.  Nor  was  the  great  cause  of 
foreign  and  home  missions  neglected.  In  his  protracted 
meetings  and  at  other  times  he  led  in  this  important 
work.  Indeed,  he  helped  to  give  the  Goshen  the  unique 
and  praiseworthy  place  which  she  had  as  an  association, 
doing,  in  a  most  effective  way,  her  own  missionary 
work.  While  working  along  these  lines  the  Goshen 
had  much  to  do  with  the  planting  of  churches  in 
Staunton  and  other  strategic  places.  When  the  new 
meeting-house,  in  this  capital  of  the  Valley,  was  dedi- 
cated, Mr.  Allen  was  the  preacher.  One  of  his  brethren 
reminded  him  that  many  in  his  congregation  were 
Paedobaptists,  and  urged  him  not  to  say  anything  to 
offend  them.  Before  he  finished,  however,  he  said  that 
while  west  of  the  Blue  Ridge  the  Baptists  were  poor 
and  the  other  denominations  rich,  east  of  the  Blue  Ridge 
just  the  reverse  was  true,  for  there  the  slaves  and  about 
everything  else  belonged  to  the  Baptists.  In  1857,  the 
Goshen  Association  appointed  a  committee  to  look  into 
the  matter  of  establishing  within  their  bounds  an 
academy  to  prepare  girls  for  college,  and  to  give  to 
those  who  could  not  go  to  college  as  good  a  training  as 
circumstances  would  permit.  This  committee,  of  which 
Mr.  Allen  was  a  member,  held  one  meeting,  March  9, 
1858,  sent  out  an  address  to  the  people,  and  arranged 
for  a  public  gathering  to  consider  the  proposition. 

Mr.  Allen's  usefulness  was  not  confined  to  the  Goshen 
Association.  Dr.  Sydnor,  who  knew  him  well,  in 
speaking  before  the  General  Association  at  Staunton, 
soon  after  his  death,  said  of  him :  "There  is  scarcely 
any  part  of  eastern  Virginia  in  which  he  could  not 
point  to  one  or  more  earnest  Christians,  who  were 
brought  to  Christ  through  his  instrumentality.''  He 
surely  filled  "a  large  place  in  the  history  of  Virginia 
Baptists  for  many  years."  He  died  at  "Applewood," 
Caroline  County,  Virginia,  in  the  earlier  part  of  the 
year  1872. 


GILBERT  MASON 

Bedford  County,  which  has  been  called  the  plant  bed 
of  Virginia  Baptist  preachers,  was  the  birthplace  of 
Gilbert  Mason.  He  first  saw  the  light  in  1811.  When 
he  was  about  ten  years  of  age  he  made  a  profession  of 
religion,  and  three  years  later  began  his  life  work  in 
which  he  was  to  continue  for  half  a  century.  From  his 
earliest  childhood  he  had  been  an  earnest  student  of  the 
Bible,  and,  by  reason  of  his  excellent  memory,  was  able 
to  learn  and  reproduce  whole  chapters.  So  while  still 
in  his  early  "teens"  he  began  to  exhort,  and  before  long 
his  efforts  were  worthy  to  be  described  as  preaching. 
He  made  a  tour  through  Albemarle  County,  preaching 
as  he  went  and  drawing  large  crowds.  The  young 
orator  attracted  the  attention  of  William  Cabell  Rives, 
at  that  time  a  member  of  Congress,  and  afterwards 
Minister  to  France,  of  Philip  Pendleton  Barbour,  a 
member  of  Congress  and  later  Associate  Justice  of  the 
Supreme  Court,  and  of  Walker  Gilmour.  These  men 
became  very  much  interested  in  him  and  determined  to 
give  him  an  education.  To  this  end  they  entered  him 
at  the  University  High  School.  Here  he  remained  some 
time.  After  leaving  this  school  he  became  the  assistant 
of  the  Rev.  John  Kerr,  pastor  of  the  First  Baptist 
Church,  Richmond,  Va.  He  next  became  pastor  in 
Petersburg,  and  about  this  time  was  married  to  Mary 
Dabney  Morriss,  of  Nottoway.  About  the  year  1832  he 
became  pastor  of  Ash  Camp  (Keysville)  and  Mossing- 
ford  churches,  succeeding  Rev.  Abner  W.  Clopton.  His 
next  pastorate,  which  he  held  some  nineteen  years,  was 
in  Mason  County,  Kentucky.  About  1854  he  accepted 
a  call  to  Lexington,  Va.,  where  he  remained  for  about 
three  years. 

177 


178         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

In  1856,  the  State  Mission  report  states  that  Mr. 
Mason's  labors  in  Lexington  had  been  ''greatly  blessed 
in  the  conversion  of  sinners  and  in  the  building  up  of 
our  cause  in  that  town."  Nor  had  he  Hmited  himself  to 
Lexington,  but  had  made  frequent  excursions  into  the 
surrounding  country  for  the  purpose  of  preaching  the 
gospel.  "During  the  year  he  had  preached  250  sermons, 
delivered  many  exhortations,  revived  the  Sunday  school 
at  Natural  Bridge,  baptized  eighty- four  persons."  Some 
thirty  or  forty  of  these  persons  were  baptized  imme- 
diately under  the  Natural  Bridge.  "Thus  has  that  far- 
famed  place  been  consecrated  to  the  proclamation  of  one 
important  truth  of  God's  word."  An  intelligent  student 
in  Judge  Brockenbrough's  law  school  and  tw^o  cadets  of 
the  V.  M.  I.  were  among  the  converts  that  year. 

On  March  the  1st,  1857,  he  became  pastor  of  the 
Manchester  Baptist  Church.  It  seems  that  his  work  in 
Manchester  was  brief,  since  the  Middle  District  Asso- 
ciation, at  its  session  in  1857,  elected  him  as  their  mis- 
sionary. He  accepted  this  position  and  continued  in  it 
until  August,  1860,  traveling  extensively,  supplying 
destitute  churches,  preaching  occasionally  at  most  of  the 
churches,  speaking  on  Sunday-school  work,  and  aiding 
pastors  in  protracted-meeting  work.  The  Association 
highly  appreciated  his  services.  His  active  work  as  a 
preacher  came  to  a  close  with  his  second  pastorate  of  the 
field  in  Mason  County,  Kentucky,  where  he  had  already 
labored  nineteen  years.  He  now  returned  to  Virginia, 
but  declining  health  made  any  further  public  service 
impossible.  His  death  took  place  at  the  home  of  his 
brother  in  Yanceyville,  N.  C,  March  3,  1873.  Here,  in 
a  low  state  of  health,  on  a  visit,  he  had  been  for  two 
months.  His  wife  carried  his  remains  to  Lynchburg  for 
burial. 


R.  N.  LEE* 

R.  N.  Lee  was  born  in  Campbell  County,  near  Lynch- 
burg, June  19,  1820.  He  "commenced  his  religious 
work"  in  Pittsylvania  County  in  1850.  In  1855,  he  re- 
moved to  Petersburg  and  was  ordained,  the  Presbytery 
consisting  of  Elders  McDonald,  Robert  Ryland,  and 
T.  G.  Keen.  He  became  the  pastor  of  the  First  African 
Church,  where  he  remained  until  1857.  Then  he 
preached  for  a  year  in  Yorktown.  Upon  the  failure  of 
his  health  he  removed  to  Chesterfield,  and  took  charge 
of  churches  in  the  Middle  District  Association.  After 
his  second  marriage  he  went  to  western  Tennessee, 
where  he  died  September  16,  1873. 

*From   Moore's   "History   of   the   Middle   District   Association." 


179 


JOHN  A.  STRACHAN* 

The  records  within  reach  do  not  give  the  place  nor 
the  exact  date  of  the  birth  of  J.  A.  Strachan,  which 
occurred  in  1814.  He  was  converted  under  the  preach- 
ing of  James  Gwathmey.  In  1845,  he  removed  to 
Bermuda  Hundred.  He  at  once  went  to  work  to  estab- 
lish a  Baptist  Church  in  the  neighborhood.  He  built  a 
meeting-house  and  opened  a  Sunday  school.  In  Septem- 
ber a  protracted  meeting  was  held,  and  finally  a  church 
was  organized,  October  8,  1849.  The  church  took  the 
name  of  Enon,  and  Mr.  Strachan  may  well  be  regarded 
as  its  founder.  In  1858,  he  was  ordained  to  the  gospel 
ministry,  the  Presbytery  consisting  of  Elders  J.  B.  Jeter, 
R.  B.  C.  Howell,  and  Jeremiah  Porter.  He  soon  became 
pastor  of  Enon  Church.  As  at  present,  there  are  no  less 
than  four  Baptist  churches  in  Virginia  bearing  the  name 
Enon,  let  it  be  added  that  his  church  was  in  the  Middle 
District  Association.  This,  his  only  pastorate,  continued 
until  his  death,  which  occurred  March  24,  1873.  As  an 
indication  of  the  growth  of  the  denomination  in  num- 
bers and  liberality  it  may  be  noted  that  this  Enon,  in 
1873,  with  forty  members,  gave  $7  to  missionary  objects; 
while  in  1910,  with  a  membership  of  ninety,  it  gave  for 
the  same  purpose  $134.77.  Mainly  for  the  convenience 
of  some  of  the  Enon  Church,  who  were  cut  off  from 
church  privileges  by  the  Appomattox  River,  on  July  24, 
1859,  through  the  leadership  of  Brother  Strachan, 
Broadway  Baptist  Church  was  organized.  The  stress 
of  war  prevented  this  church  from  growing,  and  it 
finally  ceased  to  exist.  Brother  Strachan  was  its  only 
pastor.  Until  the  War  he  owned  an  excellent  farm  at 
Point  of  Rocks,  on  the  Appomattox  River.     According 


*Based  on  Moore's  "History  of  the  Middle  District  Association." 

180 


JOHN  A.  STRACHAN  181 

to  the  old  custom,  he  cultivated  his  farm  in  connection 
with  his  work  as  a  pastor.  Thus  things  went  on  until 
the  War,  when  his  home  was  seized  and  occupied  as  a 
military  post  by  the  Federal  Army.  After  the  War  he 
had  nothing  save  his  home.  Nevertheless  he  resumed 
his  farming  on  a  small  scale,  devoting  himself  also  with 
zeal  to  his  work  in  the  ministry.  He  was  an  excellent 
man,  a  devout  Christian,  and  a  faithful  preacher. 


A.  H.  SPILMAN 

A.  H.  Spilman  was  born  in  Fauquier  County,  Vir- 
ginia, November  22,  1806.  His  early  opportunities  for 
an  education  were  not  good,  but  he  learned  a  trade,  be- 
coming a  tailor,  and  living  at  this  time  at  Washington, 
Rappahannock  County,  Virginia.  On  August  9,  1825, 
he  was  married  to  Miss  Adaline  G.  Allan,  who  bore  him 
thirteen  children.  He  was  baptized  by  Rev.  W.  F. 
Broaddus,  and  soon  after  his  baptism  began  to  preach 
During  his  ministry  he  was  pastor  of  the  following 
churches  and  perhaps  of  some  others :  Carter's  Run, 
Mount  Holly,  Bethel,  Stevensburg,  and  Sperryville.  At 
one  time,  while  serving  the  first  two  of  these  flocks,  he 
lived  at  Warrenton,  and  was  postmaster.  During  the 
early  years  of  his  ministry  he  had  some  great  trials, 
which  he  bore  with  great  patience.  He  had  a  good 
mind,  his  preaching  was  practical,  earnest,  often  truly 
eloquent,  and  had  he  had  early  advantages  he  would 
have  been  a  man  of  great  power.  As  it  was  he  was 
eminently  successful  in  the  conversion  of  sinners,  and 
in  the  great  day  multitudes  will  call  him  blessed.  He 
often  added  to  the  impressiveness  of  a  sermon  by  sing- 
ing at  its  close  a  solo.  During  the  Civil  War  his  work 
as  a  preacher  was  considerably  hindered.  One  day,  on 
his  way  to  an  appointment,  he  was  arrested  by  some 
Federal  soldiers.  During  the  night  as  he  slept  on  the 
ground  with  his  saddle-bags  as  his  pillow,  he  heard  his 
captors,  misled  by  the  title  by  which  his  neighbors  knew 
him,  for  he  had  been  militia  officer  in  his  younger  days, 
exulting  over  having  captured  a  major;  when  they 
learned  that  he  was  only  a  Baptist  preacher  they  were 
much  disappointed.  On  December  21,  1866,  he  was 
married   the   second   time,   the  bride   being  Miss   Mary 

182 


A.  H.  SPILMAN  183 

Russell  Brown.  Of  this  union  four  children  were  born. 
In  1875,  he  reached  the  end  of  his  earthly  journey.  On 
Sunday,  April  11th,  in  his  sermon  at  Stevensburg,  he 
said  he  thought  his  hearers  would  never  see  him  again. 
It  was  to  be  even  so.  On  his  way  to  fill  his  appointment 
the  following  Saturday,  at  Sperryville,  he  stopped  for 
the  night  at  the  home  of  Mr.  James  Ryan.  Here,  at 
midnight,  he  was  taken  suddenly  ill,  and  after  fourteen 
hours  passed  away.  His  congregation  had  gathered  at 
the  church  and  knowing  that  he  was  in  the  vicinity,  and 
wondering  why  he  did  not  come,  they  sent  to  inquire 
what  was  the  matter,  and  found  him  dying.  A  skilful 
physician  was  called  in  and  everything  possible  was  done 
for  his  relief,  but  he  felt  that  the  time  of  his  departure 
was  at  hand.  He  was  calm,  sent  messages  to  his  family 
and  churches,  talked  of  Jesus  and  His  love,  and  then 
in  less  than  ten  minutes  gently  breathed  his  last.  This 
was  on  Saturday,  April  17,  1875.  His  funeral,  con- 
ducted by  Rev.  J.  B.  Taylor,  Jr.,  then  of  Culpeper,  on 
Monday  afternoon,  April  19th,  was  attended  by  a  large 
crowd  of  neighbors,  friends,  and  representatives  from 
his  churches. 


SAMUEL  TAYLOR 

Virginia  has  been  an  agricultural  rather  than  a  com- 
mercial State,  and  has  had  few  cities,  so  its  people  name 
their  county  rather  than  their  nearest  city  or  town.  In  the 
country,  churches  have  exercised  such  an  influence  that 
they  have  often  given  their  names  to  communities.  The 
subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  the  Salem  Baptist 
Church  neighborhood,  this  church  being  one  of  the  oldest 
religious  organizations  in  Chesterfield  County.  When, 
on  January  13,  1811,  Samuel  Taylor  was  born,  the 
pastor  of  Salem  Church  was  Thomas  La  Fon,  a  Revolu- 
tionary soldier  who  had  been  wounded  at  the  battle  of 
Eutaw  Springs.  It  is  at  least  possible  that  echoes  of  the 
pastor's  war  story  reached  this  boy,  who,  before  his 
death,  was  to  see  another  and  more  bloody  struggle. 
After  his  conversion,  in  1831,  about  two  years  later  his 
ordination  followed,  on  which  occasion  the  Presbytery 
consisted  of  Eleazer  Clay,  Jordan  Martin,  and  Leonard 
Nunnally.  His  ministry,  that  now  began,  was  to  have 
to  its  end  the  Middle  District  Association  as  its  field.  In 
1850,  he  preached  the  introductory  sermon  for  this  body, 
when  it  met  at  Peterville  Church,  and,  at  the  sessions  of 
the  body  in  1840,  1846,  1851,  and  1854,  he  was  one  of 
those  who  preached  to  the  gathered  crowds.  Read  be- 
tween the  lines  and  see  this  Eastern  Virginia  District  As- 
sociation and  its  arbor  where  several  times  a  day  those 
who  could  not  get  into  the  meeting  heard  the  gospel  mes- 
sage. Remember,  also,  that  in  those  days  the  colored 
people  gathered  at  these  meetings  with  the  white,  and  the 
record  shows  that  on  two  of  the  occasions  mentioned 
above  Mr.  Taylor  had  the  negroes  as  his  congregation. 
His  work  as  pastor  was  done  at  Gill's  Grove  Church, 
where  he  was  pastor   from   September  22,    1843,   until 

184 


SAMUEL  TAYLOR  185 

August  1,  1874;  at  Mount  Olivet,  where  he  was  pastor 
from  1855  to  1873;  at  Salem  Church,  whose  undershep- 
herd  he  was  from  1845  to  1863,  and  also  for  a  season 
beginning  September  21,  1873;  and  at  Second  Branch 
Church,  where  he  was  pastor  from  1866  to  1873.  He  had 
been  instrumental  in  the  formation  of  Gill's  Grove.  He 
preached  in  this  neighborhood  for  nearly  a  year  before 
any  impression  seemed  to  be  made.  Finally  a  deep 
solemnity  seemed  to  pervade  the  congregation,  and  he 
determined  to  begin  a  meeting.  The  twelve  persons  con- 
verted in  this  meeting,  with  five  others  from  Second 
Branch,  were  constituted  into  a  church,  September  22, 
1843,  and  admitted  to  the  association  in  1845.  He  was 
also  on  the  Presbytery  that  constituted  Enon  Church. 
Likewise  he  took  part  with  Elder  Gilbert  Mason  in  the 
constitution  of  the  Mount  Hope  Church,  in  1858. 

As  to  Mr.  Taylor's  character  and  work.  Rev.  L.  W. 
Moore,  in  his  History  of  the  Middle  District  Associa- 
tion, says :  "He  was  a  man  of  strong  constitution,  ardent 
temperament,  powerful  energy,  and  great  activity  and 
industry.  He  was  consistent  and  eminently  pious.  In  the 
social  circle  he  was  usually  cheerful  and  attractive,  but 
at  times  he  was  abrupt  in  his  manner  and  speech."  He 
cared  for  his  farm,  but  this  did  not  cause  him  to  neglect 
his  pastoral  work.  While  not  an  educated  man  he 
possessed  good  common  sense,  deep  piety,  and  a  strong 
desire  for  the  salvation  of  sinners.  He  was  especially 
effective  in  protracted  meetings.  Though  very  infirm 
for  some  time  before  his  death,  which  occurred  June  17, 
1875,  he  continued  to  preach  as  long  as  he  could  travel. 


THOMAS  HUME,  SENIOR 

"Diligent  in  business,  fervent  in  spirit,  serving  the 
Lord,"  might  fitly  be  the  text  from  which  to  write  of  the 
elder  Thomas  Hume,  who  wrought  so  well  as  pastor  and 
public-spirited  citizen  in  Portsmouth  and  Norfolk  for 
forty  years.  An  old  variant  reading  of  this  text  sub- 
stitutes the  phrase,  "using  your  opportunity"  for  "serv- 
ing the  Lord."  He  used  every  opportunity  in  the  church 
and  in  the  world,  and  so  gave  the  Lord  a  complete  and 
rounded  service. 

His  birth  in  Virginia  was  connected  with  the  new  con- 
ditions which  arose  after  the  Revolutionary  War.  His 
great-uncle,  the  Rev.  Robert  Dickson,  was  rector  of 
Lynnhaven  Parish,  Princess  Anne  County,  from  1754 
to  1776,  and  his  eccentric  but  generous  character  is  com- 
memorated in  Bishop  Meade's  and  Bishop  Bryan's  books 
on  the  old  Colonial  churches  of  Virginia.  He  left  "land 
and  slaves  for  the  establishment  of  a  free  school  for  the 
orphan  children  of  the  county."  The  "Old  Donation 
Church"  is  associated  with  his  benevolent  administra- 
tion. After  the  Revolution,  certain  questions  arising  in 
regard  to  his  estate,  his  nephew,  the  Rev.  Thomas  Hume, 
of  Edinburgh,  was  sent  to  represent  the  Scotch  heirs. 
He  had  graduated  at  the  University  of  Edinburgh,  and 
been  ordained  as  a  minister  of  the  Established  Church 
of  Scotland  (Presbyterian).  Coming  in  the  fall  of  the 
year  1806,  he  was  constrained  by  the  law's  delay  to  re- 
main in  Virginia,  and  he  was  followed  by  his  brother, 
the  Rev.  William  Hume,  who  after  a  while  went  West- 
ward. The  eminent  publicist,  the  Hon.  Hugh  Blair 
Grigsby,  bore  warm  testimony  to  the  scholarly  ability  of 
the  two  brothers,  reporting  of  William  Hume  that  he 
was  "the  finest  Grecian  he  had  known."  Thomas, 
marrying  in  Virginia,  settled  in  Smithfield,  Isle  of  Wight 

186 


THOMAS  HUME,  SENIOR  187 

County,  as  Presbyterian  pastor,  and  principal  of  the 
Academy,  and  there  his  only  child,  Thomas,  the  subject 
of  our  memoir,  was  born  March  16,  1812.  A  few  years 
later,  the  young  father  died  in  Baltimore,  in  the  act  of 
preaching  the  inaugural  sermon  as  moderator  of  the 
Baltimore  Presbytery.  His  son  Thomas  grew  up  in 
Petersburg,  receiving  there  some  training  in  school  and 
in  business.  When  he  was  eighteen  years  old  he  made 
a  profession  of  religion,  but  delayed  his  public  confes- 
sion that  he  might  inquire  into  the  Scriptural  conditions 
of  church  membership.  The  modest  decision,  which  was 
characteristic  of  him,  forced  him  to  leave  the  time- 
honored  associations  of  the  church  of  his  father  and 
mother,  and  to  unite  with  the  weak  Baptist  Church.  It 
was  not  long  before  the  clear  call  to  the  ministry  found 
him,  and  when  he  was  nineteen  years  old  he  became  a 
student  of  the  newly  established  Virginia  Baptist  Semi- 
nary, afterwards  Richmond  College.  He  gave  two  Sun- 
days in  the  month  to  supplying  churches  in  Chesterfield 
County. 

It  was  a  surprise  to  the  young  student  to  be  summoned 
from  his  books  to  the  care  of  the  struggling  Portsmouth 
church.  Four  yellowed  letters,  of  the  autumn  of  1832, 
tell  a  unique  story  of  this  call,  which  we  do  not  find  else- 
where. A  family  of  marked  intelligence  and  culture  had 
recently  removed  from  Maryland  to  Portsmouth,  and 
cast  in  their  lot  with  ''the  little  church  round  the  corner." 
Its  father  was  Dr.  Joseph  Schoolfield,  an  accomplished 
physician,  who  wrote  young  Hume  that  the  church  had 
selected  him  to  represent  it  in  inviting  him  to  the 
pastorate,  though  he  was  no  longer  a  member,  as  spirit- 
ual doubt  and  unworthiness  had  constrained  him  to  with- 
draw. Mr.  Hume's  prompt  answer  declined  the  call  on 
the  ground  of  an  earnest  desire  to  add  to  his  resources 
of  education  and  experience  before  undertaking  so 
critical  a  duty.     We  have  the  doctor's  rejoinder  that  the 


188         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

spirit  of  this  letter  had  moved  the  church  to  renew  its 
call,  to  which  their  representative  added  his  urgent 
prayer  that  the  young  man  would  come  to  abide  under 
his  roof,  with  the  hope  that  God  would  make  him  the 
instrument  in  leading  a  darkened  soul  back  to  the  light. 
The  call  was  accepted.  The  hospitable  home  and  the 
rich  library,  with  its  rare  theological  treasures,  helped  to 
continue  the  pastor's  training  for  service.  Biographies 
of  ministers  may  well  turn  aside  to  record  the  otherwise 
unnoticed  service  of  noble  souls,  who  have  consecrated 
themselves  to  the  making  of  ministers  and  to  Christian 
education.  For  many  years  this  unchurched  penitent 
studied  his  Bible  and  his  own  heart,  made  public  con- 
fession in  revival  services,  seeking  the  intercession  of 
God's  people,  and  finding  rest  in  Christ  only  a  few  years 
before  his  death.  He  was  a  generous  philanthropist  and 
leader  in  social  reform,  and  his  family  preserved  his 
ideals,  some  of  them  in  the  Episcopal  and  more  of  them 
in  the  Baptist  communion.  Of  the  six  daughters,  Mrs. 
Hannah  Frances  Wyche  merits  conspicuous  honor  as 
the  patron  of  young  ministers  and  weak  churches,  and 
the  benefactor  and  nurse  of  Confederate  soldiers  during 
the  hot  siege  of  Petersburg.  Childless  herself  she 
mothered  many.  Her  dauntless  courage  was  tempered 
by  an  unsuspected  depth  of  womanly  tenderness.  Her 
scholarly  culture  she  laid  on  Christ's  altar  for  the  sake 
of  suffering  humanity.  Herself  and  two  of  her  sisters 
and  two  brothers  moved  to  Petersburg,  where  they  and 
their  families  spared  not  themselves  for  the  sake  of 
Christ  and  His  cause.  Many  other  unselfish  and  efficient 
men  and  women  offered  their  best  help  in  making  the 
difficult  field  in  Portsmouth  more  inviting. 

On  the  day  after  his  twenty-first  birthday  the  new 
pastor  was  welcomed,  March  17,  1833,  Rev.  John  Kerr, 
of  Richmond ;  Rev.  John  Goodall,  of  Hampton,  and 
Rev.  R.  B.  C.  Howell,  of  Norfolk,  taking  part  in  special 


THOMAS  HUME,  SENIOR  189 

services.  The  church  had  experienced  strange  vicissi- 
tudes since  its  constitution,  September  7,  1789,  under 
the  Rev.  Col.  Thomas  Armistead,  a  retired  officer  of  the 
army.  Since  its  active  part  in  organizing  the  Ports- 
mouth Association,  in  1791,  it  had  risen  to  fall,  and  then 
to  rise  again  with  painful  effort.  The  faithful  pastor- 
ates of  Rev.  Smith  Sherwood  and  Rev.  David  M.  Wood- 
son, extending  from  1824  to  1832,  had  brought  gradual 
restoration  of  hope.  A  son  of  the  church,  highly 
esteemed  for  character  and  useful  service,  Rev.  G.  J. 
Hobday,  at  its  Centennial  Celebration  in  1889,  said  of 
the  pastorate  we  are  about  to  describe:  "Of  its  brilliancy, 
success,  and  far-reaching  influence  we  can  scarcely  say 
too  much."  Rev.  Dr.  A.  E.  Owen,  distinguished  for  his 
long  pastorate  of  this  church,  said :  "The  Baptists  of 
this  city  owe  more  to  Thomas  Hume  for  their  great 
success  and  high  position  than  to  any  one  man.  His 
smooth  and  tender  eloquence  won  many  to  the  Saviour. 
Those  who  loved  and  admired  him  were  not  confined  to 
his  own  church.  Among  the  people  of  all  religions  and 
no  religion  he  was  esteemed  and  venerated."  It  is  well 
that  such  testimony  was  given,  and  is  supplemented  by 
details  from  other  sources  public  and  private;  for  the 
memoranda  kept  by  his  own  hand,  most  of  them,  were 
scattered  by  the  Federal  confiscation  of  his  library  dur- 
ing the  Civil  War. 

Our  story  will  serve  to  show  how  useful  and  happy  a 
life  may  be  that  devotes  good,  natural  endowment  to  the 
service  of  God  and  of  humanity  always  and  everywhere. 
It  did  not  assert  any  claim  to  genius.  Yet  Carlyle  has 
declared  that  genius  is  an  infinite  capacity  for  taking 
pains.  This  pastorate  illustrated  well  the  union  of  the 
religious  spirit  in  business,  with  business  methods  in 
religion.  For  the  untried  preacher  learned  by  a  fortu- 
nate instinct  and  practical  aptitude  to  touch  life  at  all 
points,  and  to  consider  nothing  human  foreign  to  him. 


190         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

The  environment  was  not  entirely  favorable.  Trinity 
Episcopal  Church,  with  a  history  reaching  back  to  1762, 
ten  years  after  the  incorporation  of  the  town,  repre- 
sented the  dominant,  old  social  element.  Wesley's  mis- 
sionary movement,  under  Robert  Williams  in  1772,  had 
introduced  the  Methodist  influence,  and  its  church  or- 
ganization was  aggressive  and  advancing.  Their 
minister,  Dr.  Waller,  a  doughty  controversialist,  was  not 
content  with  the  incoming  of  a  new  Baptist  force,  and 
the  distinct  affirmation  of  Baptist  principles,  and  used 
the  town  newspaper  to  advise  the  stripling  pastor  to 
"tarry  at  Jericho  till  his  beard  be  grown."  But  the  youth 
won  the  day  by  simple  restatement  of  Bible  teaching  and 
self-respecting  devotion  to  duty,  and  soon  the  street 
rhyme  was  heard : 

"While  Waller  at  home  was  studying  out  his  Greek, 
Hume  took  the  converts  down  into  the  creek." 

Many  Sunday  afternoons  was  the  Bible  story  read  as 
the  church  gathered  on  the  white  beach  of  the  beautiful 
Elizabeth  River,  and  the  throngs  on  the  bridges  and  the 
shore  saw  the  impressive  object  lesson  performed  which 
corresponded  with  the  Scriptural  baptism.  "So  mightily 
grew  the  word  of  God  and  prevailed."  Mr.  Hobday's 
record  reports  800  baptisms  during  this  pastorate.  We 
know  that  at  its  middle  point  the  church  numbered  650 
members.  Mothers  in  Israel  delighted  to  tell  of  one 
revival  that  lasted  a  whole  year  (1834-35),  and  that 
brought  unity  of  sentiment  and  the  spirit  of  self-denying 
service.  No  wonder  the  desire  for  a  new  house  of  wor- 
ship sprang  up  in  1835. 

It  was  a  wise  Providence  that  inspired  the  weak  body 
of  1799,  ten  years  after  their  organization,  to  buy  "one- 
half  of  Hanover  Square,  fronting  one  hundred  and 
thirteen  feet  on  Court  Street,  and  running  back  ninety 
feet  on  Queen  Street."     They  were  able  to  utilize  the 


THOMAS  HUME,  SENIOR  191 

most  eligible  site  in  the  town  only  so  far  as  to  build  on 
Queen  Street  a  wooden  house  which,  now,  after  thirty- 
five  years  of  occupancy,  the  awakened  church  deter- 
mined to  replace  with  a  building  requiring  the  heroic 
expenditure  of  $16,000,  and  a  proper  use  of  the  advan- 
tages of  frontage  on  Court  Street.  The  slow  but  sure 
work  of  actual  construction  went  on  from  1838  to  1842. 
Members  who  were  skilled  artisans  of  the  Government 
Navy  Yard,  after  their  strenuous  day's  labor  up  to  6 
p.  M.,  would  be  seen  at  night  doing  the  finer  work  of  the 
interior,  the  young  preacher  in  the  midst  heartening  and 
helping.  Under  Dr.  Owen's  long  and  active  adminis- 
tration the  excellent  Sunday-school  and  lecture-room 
annex  was  built,  and  improvements  were  made  in  the 
main  auditorium.  But  the  substantial  and  beautiful 
proportions  had  remained  for  more  than  sixty  years, 
when  Rev.  Dr.  R.  B.  Garrett  had  his  successful  pastorate 
crowned  by  the  noble  edifice  that  covers  the  old  ground, 
a  model  of  beauty  and  usefulness. 

It  was  a  good  Providence,  too,  that  directed  the  young 
pastor  in  his  marriage,  in  1835,  with  Mary  'Anne 
Gregory,  a  member  of  an  old  and  honored  family,  a 
teacher  in  the  Trinity  Episcopal  Sunday  School,  when 
she  was  twenty-one  years  old  and  he  twenty-three  years 
old.  Her  attractive  personality  was  endued  with  all  the 
virtues  and  most  of  the  graces.  For  twenty-five  years 
her  spiritual  energy,  sweetness,  and  patience  impelled  the 
varied  activities  of  the  growing  church,  inspiring  and 
guiding  them,  even  after  invalidism  confined  her  to  the 
sick-room.  The  mother  of  eight  children  she  ruled  her 
household  well.  The  seaport  town  gave  ample  occasion 
for  dispensing  hospitality  in  the  new  home  the  pastor 
had  built.  Hospitality  was  needed  and  well  proven  in 
all  our  churches  in  that  formative  era  of  missions  and 
benevolence,  and  the  two  weeks'  entertainment  of  J.  L. 
Shuck  and  Yong  Seen  Sang  would  be  followed  by  the 


192         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

invasion  of  the  irrepressible  agent  "Welch,  of  Missouri," 
and  many  godly  men  and  women  who  enjoyed  "journey- 
ing mercies."  Her  cheerful  faith  and  prayerful  courage 
failed  not  until  death  came  in  1862.  The  tradition  of 
her  personal  charm  and  her  saintly  life  lingers  still. 
Five  of  her  children  survived  her.  The  eldest,  the  only 
one  now  living,  is  Thomas,  for  twenty-two  years  Pro- 
fessor of  the  English  Language  and  Literature  in  the 
University  of  North  Carolina,  and  residing  there  still 
with  his  wife  and  four  children.  Richard  Gregory  was 
a  practical  man,  of  large  reserve  force,  a  prosperous 
merchant,  the  father  of  four  children,  dying  in  his  forty- 
second  year.  Jennie  died  in  her  lovely  prime,  one  year 
after  her  marriage  to  Professor  James  G.  Clark,  of 
Columbian  College.  John  Hodges,  of  many-sided  busi- 
ness activity  in  Portsmouth  and  Norfolk,  became  one  of 
the  leaders  of  his  community  in  financial  and  municipal 
administration.  He  was  the  father  of  twelve  children, 
and  died  in  his  fifty-sixth  year.  James  died  of  diphtheria 
in  childhood. 

From  1838  to  1842,  the  pastor  was  building  the 
spiritual  temple  as  well  as  the  outward  habitation.  The 
completion  of  the  basement  gave  opportunity  for  hold- 
ing the  Sunday  sunrise  prayer-meetings,  a  peculiar  insti- 
tution that  blessed  this  church  for  fourteen  years,  strik- 
ing the  keynote  which  made  the  Lord's  Day  a  delight, 
and  illustrating  well  Luther's  happy  paradox,  that  it  is 
spiritual  economy  to  spend  more  time  in  prayer  if  you 
wish  to  do  more  work  for  God.  The  midweek  prayer- 
meeting  and  the  monthly  concert  of  prayer  for  missions 
were  attended  by  a  company  of  worshippers  who  had 
formed  the  habit  of  communing  with  God. 

The  largely  increased  white  membership  felt  their 
responsibility  for  supplying  the  considerable  number  of 
negro  communicants  with  instruction  and  opportunities 
for  spiritual  growth.     In  the  new  auditorium  the  left- 


THOMAS  HUME,  SENIOR  193 

hand  gallery  was  reserved  for  them  at  the  Sunday  morn- 
ing service,  and  they  partook  of  the  Lord's  Supper  at  its 
regular  once-a-month  celebration.  Every  Sunday  after- 
noon in  the  lecture-room  they  held  their  own  special 
service,  the  deacons  assisting  them.  Many  of  them  were 
recognized  by  the  church  as  amongst  its  most  devout  and 
trustworthy  members.  It  was  thus  in  touch  with  the 
General  Association  in  its  official  expression  of  anxious 
concern  for  the  spiritual  welfare  of  the  negroes. 

The  church  was  now  regularly  represented  in  the  Gen- 
eral Association  of  Virginia,  and  in  the  Southern  Baptist 
Convention  after  its  organization  in  1845.  The  Cen- 
tennial history  says :  "This  church  did  not  know  any- 
thing of  the  general  work  of  our  denomination  until 
Hume  became  its  pastor."  The  piety  and  the  prudence, 
the  wisdom  and  the  consecration  of  James  B.  Taylor, 
Robert  Ryland,  and  J.  B.  Jeter  were  reflected  in  the 
younger  brother,  who  was  now  learning  to  "do  team- 
work" under  their  inspiration.  His  practical  gifts 
marked  him  out  for  the  presidency  of  the  Virginia  and 
Foreign  Baptist  Bible  Society,  in  1846,  and  he  held  this 
position  for  ten  years.  In  this  auxiliary  of  the  General 
Association  he  was  often  pleading  for  concerted  action 
with  the  Sunday  School  and  Publication  Society,  with 
reference  to  a  state-wide  system  of  colportage  and  Bible 
distribution.  He  was  made  Trustee  of  Columbian  Col- 
lege, and  of  Richmond  College,  and  of  the  Chowan 
Female  College,  which  for  many  years  was  the  protege 
of  both  the  Portsmouth  Association  and  the  Chowan 
(N.  C. )  Association.  For  thirty  years  he  was  clerk  of 
the  Portsmouth  Association,  and  its  moderator  for  eight 
years.  He  was  continuously  on  the  executive  boards  of 
the  General  Association,  and  it  president  for  two  years. 

For  the  first  years  of  his  life  as  a  minister  there  were 
fruitful  fellowships  with  neighboring  pastors — with  the 
strong  and    genial   R.   B.   C.    Howell,   of    Cumberland 


194         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

Street  Church,  Norfolk;  and  with  two  brilHant  young 
Massachusetts  scholars  of  his  own  age,  who  had  been 
attracted  by  the  Virginia  climate,  one  of  them  Howell's 
successor,  E.  G.  Robinson,  virile  and  stately,  the  future 
president  at  Brown  and  Rochester;  and  the  other  Jacob 
R.  Scott,  the  poet-preacher,  who  served  acceptably  at 
Petersburg,  Hampton,  and  the  University  of  Virginia 
before  he  returned  to  New  England.  Time  would  fail 
to  tell  of  the  .galaxy  of  interesting  figures  from  the  day 
of  J.  L.  Gwaltney,  through  the  eras  of  Reuben  Jones  and 
Tiberius  Gracchus  Jones  and  the  Hatchers,  to  the  bright 
young  spirits,  who  were  all  in  the  Portsmouth  Associa- 
tion in  delightful  relations  with  him,  and  who  passed  to 
other  fields  while  he  remained.  In  1836,  J.  W.  M. 
Williams,  a  youth  of  sixteen,  from  one  of  the  large 
families  of  the  church,  was  led  into  Christian  profession 
and  preparation  for  the  ministry.  He  became  conspic- 
uous for  his  forty  years'  pastorate  of  the  First  Baptist 
Church,  of  Baltimore,  and  his  useful  service  to  the  de- 
nomination. The  preparation  for  the  ministry  of  the 
promising  candidate,  young  Glover,  auspiciously  begun 
in  the  pastor's  home  in  1840,  was  ended  "by  a  fatal  acci- 
dent." In  1840,  J.  S.  Reynoldson,  mate  of  a  British 
ship,  which  put  into  Portsmouth  under  stress  of  weather, 
was  attracted  to  the  nightly  meetings  at  the  Court  Street 
Church.  He  had  already  become  a  communicant  of  the 
Episcopal  Church  in  New  York,  but  he  now  changed 
his  point  of  view  and  was  baptized  by  Mr.  Hume.  His 
surprising  success  as  a  missionary  evangelist  was  cut 
short  by  the  unexplained  loss  of  the  steamship  in  which 
he  was  crossing  the  Atlantic  after  a  visit  to  his  old 
English  home. 

A  busy  pastor,  so  young  that  he  had  little  stock  on 
hand,  like  many  of  the  best  men  of  the  day,  Hume  must 
learn  to  preach  by  preaching.  His  notes  indicate  that  he 
dealt  with  the  fundamental  elements  of  Biblical  truth. 


THOMAS  HUME,  SENIOR  195 

and  addressed  himself  to  Christian  experience.  His  old 
volumes  of  Andrew  Fuller  show  that  he  had  compared 
his  moderate  theology  with  the  strong  meat  of  Gill's 
"Body  of  Divinity,"  and  sought  to  be  judicious  and  dis- 
criminating in  his  statement  of  doctrine.  Clear  defini- 
tion, practical  application,  the  persuasive  note,  ran 
through  all  his  discourse.  The  bequest  of  his  early 
friend,  Dr.  Schoolfield,  gave  him  the  old  English  divines 
and  many  other  masters  of  theology.  No  pressure  of 
outward  duty  availed  to  break  the  order  of  family  wor- 
ship or  private  devotion  for  him.  But  the  call  to' action 
was  always  sounding  in  his  ears.  The  preacher's  study 
was  nivaded  by  this  manifold  activity  of  the  pastor  and 
the  citizen,  and  the  quality  and  form  of  his  sermons  must 
have  been  influenced  by  this  invasion. 

The  beginnings  of  this  pastorate  suggested  the  con- 
troversial atmosphere.     But  there  is  no  hint  of  it  in  his 
long  ministry.     There  is  distinct  affirmation  of  Biblical 
truth  and  a  liberal  orthodoxy.     He  declared  the  whole 
counsel  of    God  according  to  the  proportion  of    faith. 
The  history  of  the  Portsmouth  Association  states  "the 
busmess  which  chiefly  occupied  that  body  in  1833  was 
the  gigantic  heresy  of  Alexander  Campbell."    Mr.  Hume 
offered    resolutions    advising    the    churches    as    to    the 
method  of  dealing  with  these  teachings  and  their  advo- 
cates.      "The   Petersburg  church,    which    had   suffered 
much  from  their  intrusion,  was  preserved,  and  in  conse- 
quence of  the  decided  action  of  the  association  none  of 
the   churches   were   seriously    disturbed."      Many   years 
afterwards  he  was  appointed  by  the  General  Association, 
together  with  Dr.  William  F.  Broaddus,  to  consider  the 
relations  of  Baptists  and  Disciples.     Their  report  recog- 
nized the  changes  which  had  gradually  taken  place  in 
sentiment  and  in  forms  of  doctrinal  definition,  but  ad- 
vised  that  these  offered   no   reason    for  organic   union 
while  they  suggested  the  exercises  of  the  largest  Chris- 
tian sympathy. 


196         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

In  his  maturing  manhood  Mr.  Hume  was  of  very 
attractive  personal  appearance,  of  medium  stature, 
broad-shouldered,  blue-eyed,  of  ruddy  complexion, 
capable  of  great  endurance,  and  of  very  active  habit. 
Dr.  Jeter  describes  him  as  in  bearing  and  character 
"every  inch  a  gentleman."  Firmness  and  amiability, 
courtesy  and  manliness,  were  happily  united  in  him.  He 
loved  his  fellow-man  and  delighted  in  his  home,  but 
above  all  reverenced  his  conscience  as  his  king,  and 
honored  his  Saviour.  He  needed  all  helps,  physical  and 
spiritual,  to  meet  the  demands  for  evangelistic  service 
from  the  many  churches  of  his  association.  Often  he 
went  in  the  sailing  vessel  across  the  Chesapeake  Bay  to 
the  Eastern  Shore.  One  of  the  children  coming  upon 
the  mother  alone,  asked  her  to  whom  she  was  talking  so 
earnestly  about  saving  father  from  the  storm  on  the 
water.  He  learned  to  be  not  only  a  sympathetic  and 
wise  counsellor  of  brother-pastors,  but  also  a  bearer  of 
good  tidings  to  dark  places,  a  bishop  in  parfibus. 

The  realm  of  business  needs  the  man  who  has  his  own 
clear  head  and  pure  heart,  and  who  sees  his  own  true 
interest,  but  plans  for  it  only  from  the  unselfish  point  of 
view  of  a  member  of  the  spiritual  body  of  Christ.  Three 
young  men  were  successively  forwarded,  by  his  supply 
of  means  and  his  wise  counsel,  in  the  book  business,  and 
learned  the  way  to  large  and  fortunate  enterprises.  This 
practical  quality,  as  well  as  his  sympathy  with  the  people 
developed  by  pastoral  contact  with  many  who  with 
limited  means  were  seeking  a  better  home  life,  urged 
him  into  the  educational  field  of  the  community.  Chris- 
tian duty  and  pastoral  efficiency  for  him  meant  social 
service.  He  sought  to  awaken  and  direct  what  we  in 
this  later  day  call  the  civic  conscience.  So,  in  1846,  he 
led  the  movement  which  secured  to  the  town  of  Ports- 
mouth, for  free  public  schools  of  different  grades,  an 
appropriation   from  the  Second  Auditor's  Fund,   which 


THOMAS  HUME,  SENIOR  197 

was  to  be  supplemented  by  a  municipal  tax.  This  plan 
was  extended  into  Norfolk  County,  and,  in  1849,  he  was 
appointed  its  first  Superintendent  of  Education.  With 
no  abatement  of  his  pastoral  activity  he  organized  and 
efficiently  administered  the  town  system  for  seven  or 
eight  years.  It  was,  indeed,  a  blessing  to  a  community 
of  whom  so  many  were  just  ready  for  training  in  church 
and  state.  The  Provident  Society  made  him  its  presi- 
dent, and  director  of  its  charities.  He  aided  the  early 
temperance  reform  movement,  specially  stimulating  the 
junior  societies.  Such  reforms  he  believed  to  be  in  con- 
stant need  of  the  regenerative  influence  of  divine  grace, 
and  the  support  of  Christian  principle. 

As  the  years  wore  on  he  was  invited  into  the  directory 
of  the  Seaboard  Railroad,  and  was  for  eight  years  and 
more  the  consulting  director  in  close  relations  with  the 
president.  He  felt,  too,  the  importance  of  pastoral 
advice  as  to  provision  for  the  future  of  growing  families. 
For  twelve  years  he  was  president  of  the  Portsmouth 
Insurance  Company,  actively  overseeing  its  investments 
and  its  policies  until  it  gained  assured  prosperity. 

His  eye  for  good  business  and  his  civic  conscience 
appeared  in  his  rescue  of  the  Chesapeake  College 
property  lying  between  Hampton  and  Old  Point  from  its 
impending  purchase  by  the  Roman  Catholics.  He  led 
four  or  five  citizens  of  Norfolk  and  Portsmouth  in  in- 
vesting their  small  fortunes  in  a  first-class  Baptist 
College  for  Young  Women.  It  was  a  gallant  enterprise, 
and  would  have  been  amply  rewarded  if  the  fatal  stroke 
of  war  had  not  fallen  on  it  in  the  second  year  of  its  new 
organization. 

A  supreme  test  of  fidelity,  of  courage,  and  wisdom 
came  six  years  before  the  war  which  tried  men's  souls. 
Early  in  June,  1855,  the  yellow  fever  was  introduced 
into  port  by  a  vessel  from  the  West  Indies,  and  spread 
from  the  Navy  Yard  neighborhood  into  the  heart  of  the 


198         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

town.  He  visited  and  buried  the  young  Northern 
foundryman  who  was  the  earhest  victim,  and  during  the 
long  summer  and  early  fall  remained  at  his  post,  com- 
forting, nursing,  burying  the  people.  Amongst  the 
pastors  in  Norfolk  and  Portsmouth,  so  far  as  we  can 
learn,  he  was  the  only  one  who  was  not  touched  by  the 
disease.  His  brave  self-poise  and  self-forgetting  inter- 
est in  saving  the  bodies  and  souls  of  others  doubtless 
saved  him.  His  neighbor  and  friend.  Rev.  James  Chis- 
holm,  rector  of  St.  John's  Episcopal  Church,  died  in  his 
arms,  and  by  request  of  his  church  Mr.  Hume  read  their 
burial  service  over  him.  Roman  Catholic  Sisters  of 
Charity  and  Protestant  nurses  from  Charleston  and  New 
Orleans  were  housed  by  him  in  the  public  school  build- 
ings, and  forwarded  in  their  mission.  We  may  well 
believe  that  Christian  charity  and  the  essential  unity  of 
Christians  under  variety  of  forms  were  well  advanced. 
At  one  time  100  children,  the  sole  survivors  of  deso- 
lated homes,  were  conducted  by  him  to  Richmond 
asylums.  Some  of  them  were  placed  in  good  homes, 
from  which  they  rose  up  and  called  him  blessed.  The 
Portsmouth  Orphan  Asylum  was  a  natural  outcome  of 
the  general  interest.  He  kept  the  outside  world  in  in- 
telligent touch  with  the  darkened  city  by  frequent  com- 
munications to  the  Richmond  Dispatch  and  other 
journals. 

He  had  been  for  twenty  years  and  more  in  the  same 
charge,  and  large  blessing  had  been  his  portion.  It  had 
not  been  without  self -questioning  that  he  had  remained 
so  long  at  this  post.  But  Providence  called  him  to  abide 
in  the  community  of  which  he  had  become  so  useful  a 
member.  It  seemed  to  be  imperative  that  in  addition  to 
the  Methodist  Mission,  in  Newtown,  the  quarter  of 
Portsmouth  near  the  Navy  Yard,  there  should  be  provi- 
sion for  the  Baptist  element  amongst  the  government 
employees.     In  1851,  he  had  purchased  an  eligible  build- 


THOMAS  HUME,  SENIOR  199 

ing  lot.  In  1854,  sixty  members  received  their  letters 
from  the  Court  Street  Church,  and  its  long-seasoned 
pastor  became  the  leader  of  the  new  body  on  the  9th  of 
March.  1855.  One  government  official,  with  his  intelli- 
gent family,  joined  this  church.  Attention  to  sacred 
song  and  to  Sunday-school  work  and  sound  growth  gave 
promise  of  a  successful  church,  and,  though  the  Civil 
War  brought  its  hindrances  and  divisive  influences,  the 
true  seed  remained  from  which  one  day  a  full  harvest 
was  to  spring.  Prof.  I.  B.  Lake,  then  of  Chesapeake 
College,  was  baptized  by  Mr.  Hume  and  soon  licensed 
to  preach. 

The  Southern  Confederacy  transferred  its  Navy 
Yard,  its  material,  its  best  employees,  so  many  of  them 
Baptists,  from  the  exposed  seaport  to  the  inland  safety 
of  Charlotte,  N.  C.  The  pastor's  happy  home  had  been 
darkened  by  the  death  of  the  saintly  wife,  three  sons 
were  absent  in  the  Confederate  Army,  and  the  Federal 
forces  under  General  Butler  were  occupying  Norfolk 
and  Portsmouth.  Information  came  to  him  that  the 
General  had  marked  him  for  arrest  amongst  the 
ministers  who  had  sown  the  seed  of  political  heresy. 
Might  it  not  be  best  that  he  should  bear  the  motherless 
boy  and  the  nearly  grown  daughter  to  Charlotte,  where, 
a  refugee  himself,  he  could  give  sympathy  to  his  refugee 
brethren,  and  be  near  enough  to  the  soldiers  to  act  as  a 
means  of  communication  with  their  distant  families? 
There,  and  in  the  lines  about  Petersburg,  he  did  this 
useful  service  quietly.  We  find  that  a  considerable  num- 
ber of  the  refugee  soldiers  insisted  on  casting  their  votes 
for  him  as  member  of  Congress  for  his  Virginia  district. 
During  the  siege  of  Petersburg  he  was  exposed  like  all 
workers  in  the  Southern  cause,  but  failed  not  in  his  mis- 
sionary activity. 

When  peace  came,  in  1865,  he  sought  the  old  home 
again.     It  seemed  best  that  his  pastoral  work  should  be 


200         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

directed  now  to  the  recuperation  of  the  old  Cumberland 
Street  Church,  of  Norfolk  City,  after  the  blighting  ex- 
perien:e  of  war  and  the  ill-advised  and  non-Baptistic  oc- 
cupancy of  its  property  by  the  agents  of  a  Northern 
society.  The  meager  salary  he  supplemented  with  some 
limited  but  profitable  duty  outside.  It  is  another  in- 
stance of  his  happy  readiness  to  undertake  any  service, 
and  of  his  quiet  success  in  building  up  interests  that 
grew  into  permanent  strongholds  of  the  cause — Court 
Street  and  Fourth  Street,  in  Portsmouth,  and  the  Nor- 
folk First  Church.  His  experience  and  character  gave 
heart  and  hope  to  the  scattered  flock  in  Norfolk,  and 
they  made  marked  progress. 

In  1866,  he  was  sorely  tried  by  the  sudden  death  of 
his  only  daughter,  Jennie,  after  her  one  happy  year  of 
married  life.  His  pleasant  old  home  could  not  be  what 
it  once  was.  During  this  period  his  second  marriage 
took  place.  Lizzie  Carter  Braxton  was  one  of  the 
daughters  of  a  family  of  distinguished  lineage,  noted 
for  graces  of  person  and  character;  and,  when  at  the 
age  of  twenty-nine  she  gave  her  heart  to  the  mature  man 
of  fifty-five,  she  made  a  perfect  consecration  of  all  her 
noble  gifts.  Her  life  as  a  wife  and  pastor's  helper 
covered  only  one  year  and  a  half,  but  was  charged  with 
blessed  usefulness,  and  left  behind  the  most  fragrant 
memories. 

This  affliction  was  a  heavy  blow  to  him  physically  and 
spiritually,  but  it  sent  him  back  to  earnest  work  for  his 
reviving  church.  The  Virginia  Memorial  Campaign 
appealed  to  him  for  service.  While  he  was  closing  a 
spirited  canvass  for  it  on  the  Eastern  Shore  of  Virginia, 
in  Accomac  and  Northampton  counties,  exposure  to  cold 
induced  a  fatal  illness.  After  a  winter  in  Florida  and 
a  summer  in  the  mountains  of  Virginia  he  lay,  long  and 
patiently,  meditating  on  life,  and  on  his  home  above.  He 
told  his  beloved  brother-pastor,  Dr.  William  D.  Thomas, 


THOMx\S  HUME,  SENIOR  201 

that  the  reahty  and  the  blessedness  of  prayer  had  come 
to  him  Hke  a  new  discovery.  In  temporary  wandering 
of  mind,  just  before  death,  he  summoned  an  imaginary 
congregation  of  children,  and  tenderly  preached  his  last 
sermon  to  them. 

It  was  easy  for  him  to  pass  to  playful  raillery  of  the 
sons  he  cherished,  and  to  humorous  allusion  to  his  ap- 
proaching birthday,  so  near  "St.  Pathrick's  Day  in  the 
mornin'."  He  called  his  preacher-son  for  a  last  message, 
''Remember  the  poor."  March  16,  1875,  his  sixty-third 
anniversary,  he  went  peacefully  to  his  well-earned  rest. 

Shortly  before  his  death  the  First  Church  sent  its 
long-delayed  acceptance  of  his  resignation,  accompanied 
by  a  call  to  his  son,  Prof.  Thomas  Hume,  Jr.,  who  had 
already  left  the  college  and  pastorate  at  Danville  to 
minister  to  his  father.  In  the  four  years  of  this  new 
pastorate  the  membership  was  doubled,  a  Sunday-school 
and  lecture-room  annex  was  built,  and  the  spirit  of 
sacrificial  giving  developed.  Alternating  trials  and 
progress  prepared  them  for  the  heroic  purchase  of  a 
costly  building,  and  the  transplanting  of  the  church, 
which  were  effected  by  Dr.  E.  B.  Hatcher,  for  the 
masterly  leadership  of  Dr.  C.  S.  Blackwell,  for  the 
seizure  of  a  new  opportunity,  and  the  enjoyment  of  the 
splendid  new  plant  of  which  Rev.  G.  W.  Perryman, 
D.  D.,  is  pastor. 

It  has  been  a  privilege  to  write  this  memoir  of  a  man 
of  God,  who  was  wise  in  his  day  and  generation,  and 
who  went  his  way  in  simple  godliness,  enjoying  the 
promise  of  the  life  which  now  is,  and  of  that  which  is  to 
come. 

Thomas  Hume,  Jr. 


JAMES  GARNETT 

When  a  good  man  passes  away  from  the  earth  he  is 
embalmed  in  the  hearts  of  his  survivors.  His  memory  is 
fragrant  among  all  those  who  knew  and  appreciated  him 
in  life.  As  far  as  they  are  concerned,  he  needs  no  other 
monument  than  those  tender  affections  which  the  men- 
tion of  his  name  will  always  kindle  afresh.  But  the 
generation  of  his  contemporaries  will  soon  pass  away, 
other  people  will  come  on  the  stage,  who  never  knew 
him,  and  the  memory  of  the  good — the  praise  of  his 
work  and  his  virtues — will  fade  into  oblivion. 

Hence,  the  instinctive  desire  to  record  in  a  more  dur- 
able form  the  name  and  deeds  of  those  we  judge  worthy 
to  be  remembered.  Moved  by  such  a  laudable  feeling, 
the  church  at  this  place  has  ordered  to  be  prepared  the 
following  memoir  of  its  late  honored  and  beloved 
pastor,  that  the  children  and  children's  children  of  those 
among  whom  he  performed  the  functions  of  his  sacred 
office,  for  more  than  half  a  century,  may  know  and 
revere  the  name  of  James  Garnett.  Elder  James  Gar- 
nett,  the  grandson  of  that  James  Garnett,  who  was  the 
pastor  of  Crooked  Run,  from  a  period  antedating  the 
Revolutionary  War,  until  1825  or  1826,  and  the  son  of 
Edmond  and  Sarah  Garnett,  was  born  in  Culpeper 
County,  Virginia,  February  4,  1792. 

His  parents  removed  to  Kentucky  while  he  was  yet 
a  child,  and  in  that  commonwealth  he  grew  up  and  re- 
ceived the  degree  of  school  training  with  which  he 
pushed  his  way  through  life.  This  was  such  in  kind 
and  amount  as  was  usually  furnished  by  the  ordinary 
schools  of  the  country  at  that  period,  except  that,  after 
his  entrance  on  the  work  of  the  ministry,  he  spent  a 
short  time  at  the  Transylvania  University,  but  it  is  not 
known  how  long  he  remained  there  or  what  branches  of 

202 


JAMES  GARNETT  203 

study  he  pursued.  It  is  certain  he  did  not  enjoy  the 
advantages  accorded  his  more  fortunate  brethren  of  the 
present  day.  His  earhest  years  were  passed  in  the  active 
employments  of  the  farm,  or  the  amusements  of  the 
youth  of  his  age.  It  was  not  until  his  nineteenth  year 
that  he  was  awakened  to  a  sense  of  his  lost  condition,  as 
a  guilty  sinner.  Those  who  have  attended  upon  his 
ministry  are  familiar  with  the  exercises  of  his  mind  dur- 
ing that  period.  His  convictions  were  pungent  and  last- 
ing. He  found  no  peace  until  he  obtained  it  by  an  entire 
surrender  of  himself  to  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  This 
event,  ever  memorable  in  his  history,  took  place  in  1811, 
on  the  6th  day  of  January,  in  which  year  he  was  baptized 
and  became  a  professed  follower  of  the  meek  and  lowly 
One.  Very  soon  after  becoming  a  member  of  the 
church,  he  began  to  be  impressed  with  the  personal  obli- 
gation to  preach  the  gospel.  The  wretched  and  ruined 
condition  of  sinners  gave  him  unutterable  concern,  and 
fired  his  soul  with  a  desire  to  warn  them  of  their 
danger,  and  point  to  the  "Lamb  of  God  that  taketh  away 
the  sins  of  the  world."  He  began  to  exercise  his  gifts 
in  exhortation  and  prayer,  and  finally  glided  into  more 
formal  preaching.  So  useful  and  acceptable  were  his 
ministrations,  that  his  church  petitioned  for  his  ordina- 
tion, which  accordingly  took  place  at  Bullettsburg 
Baptist  Church,  Boone  County,  Kentucky,  on  the  13th 
day  of  October,  1816;  the  ordaining  Presbytery  were 
the  Rev.  Absalom  Graves,  Hamilton  Goss,  Robert  Gar- 
nett,  Chichester  Matthews,  and  Christopher  Wilson. 
Immediately  upon  his  ordination,  Elder  Garnett  re- 
turned to  Virginia,  and,  on  December  the  17th,  was 
united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Garnett,  who, 
through  a  long  pilgrimage  together,  was  his  intelligent, 
affectionate,  and  faithful  helpmeet.  She  preceded  him 
by  ten  years  into  the  rest  that  remaineth  for  the  people 
of  God.     After  his  marriage,   Brother  Garnett  settled 


204         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

at  his  late  residence  in  Culpeper  County,  where  he  con- 
tinued to  live  until  the  close  of  his  earthly  career. 
Brother  Garnett's  first  pastorate  was  with  the  Cedar 
Run  Church,  and  began  in  1817  or  1818.  In  September, 
1822,  he  became  pastor  of  the  Gourdvine  Church,  and 
afterward  was  called  successively  to  the  pastoral  charge 
of  Bethel  and  Crooked  Run  churches.  I  do  not  see  how 
his  pastoral  charge  of  the  last-named  church  could  have 
commenced  earlier  than  1828,  if  the  biography  of  the 
Elder  Garnett  be  correct  in  ascribing  to  him  a  pastorate 
of  more  than  fifty-five  years ;  beginning  about  two  years 
after  the  organization  of  the  church  in  1771,  it  would 
point  to  1828  as  its  close,  and,  therefore,  the  beginning 
of  his  successor.  Be  this,  however,  as  it  may,  in  these 
four  churches.  Cedar  Run,  Gourdvine,  Bethel,  and 
Crooked  Run,  the  life  work  of  our  dear,  departed 
brother  was  done.  With  the  exception  of  occasional 
tours  into  the  Valley  of  Virginia,  and  Tidewater  regions 
of  the  State,  during  his  earlier  and  more  active  days,  he 
devoted  his  whole  strength  of  mind  and  heart  to  this 
elect  field  of  labor;  and  here  he  has  erected  a  monu- 
ment more  imposing  and  durable  than  brass  or  marble. 
He  has  impressed  himself  on  the  loving  remembrance 
of  his  people,  and  put  into  operation  moral  influences 
which  will  be  perpetuated  through  all  coming  time ; 
while  many  hundreds,  brought  to  the  Saviour  by  his 
instrumentality,  will  rise  up  to  call  him  blessed.  The 
history  of  his  labors,  in  this  extensive  and  important 
field,  presents  nothing  more  novel  than  the  unexciting 
and  monotonous  routine  of  pastoral  work  among  rural 
churches,  varied  by  seasons  of  depression  and  revival, 
with  perhaps  an  occasional  case  of  discipline. 

In  looking  over  it,  however,  we  can  not  fail  to  be 
struck  with  one  feature  of  his  work,  and  that  is  the 
remarkable  length  of  his  pastorates;  they  extended  in 
some   instances   beyond,   and,    in   others,   approximated, 


JAMES  GARNETT  205 

half  a  century,  thus  giving  an  example  of  this  sacred 
relation  sustained  in  unbroken  harmony  for  a  time  far 
exceeding  the  average  length  of  human  life,  and  that, 
too,  in  a  period  reaching  deep  into  our  own  era  of  fre- 
quent changes  and  restless  craving  for  novelties ;  and  it 
should  be  recorded  that  in  no  instance  was  this  relation 
sundered  until,  forced  by  the  growing  infirmities  of  age 
and  disease,  he  repeatedly  and  earnestly  begged  to  be 
relieved  of  the  responsibilities  and  toils  of  the  pastoral 
work. 

The  efficiency  and  success  of  his  ministry  is  attested 
by  the  condition  of  his  churches  at  this  very  day.  Very 
notew^orthy  is  the  influence  which  they  exert  in  the  com- 
munities in  which  they  are  located,  as  well  as  the  large 
proportion  of  the  people  of  every  grade  which  they  have 
absorbed  into  their  membership.  Surely  no  plainer  or 
more  substantial  proofs  of  personal  worth  and  pastoral 
efficiency  could  be  desired  than  a  lifelong  pastorate,  and 
strong,  united,  and  influential  churches.  Our  venerable 
brother  was  stricken  with  his  fatal  disease  in  the  winter  of 
1874,  and  the  disorder,  though  protracted  and  lingering, 
continued  to  increase  in  violence  until  it  w^as  appointed 
that  his  pilgrimage  on  earth  was  drawing  to  a  close. 
His  long  and  w^eary  illness  was  marked  by  an  uninter- 
rupted and  often  excruciating  pain,  but  his  mind  re- 
mained as  sound  and  clear  as  in  his  palmy  days.  His 
sick-bed  experiences  were  in  keeping  with  the  gentle 
and  equable  character  of  the  man.  His  faith  never  rose 
into  ecstasy,  but  was  rational,  calm,  and  unwavering. 
He  never  ascended  the  mount  of  rejoicing,  neither  did 
he  descend  into  the  valley  of  fear  and  trembling.  God 
poured  not  on  his  soul  a  flood  of  glory,  but  He  did 
shed  a  mild,  golden  light  on  the  dark  path  his  servant 
was  traveling.  He  had  a  clear,  sustaining  view  of  the 
plan  of  salvation,  and  an  unfaltering  trust  in  the  wisdom 
and  goodness  of  God,  by  which  he  was  enabled  often  to 


206         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

thank  Him  for  those  afflictions  which  had  made  the 
perfection  of  that  wondrous  plan  yet  plainer  to  his  com- 
prehension. Thus  he  languished  on  amid  suffering  so 
intense,  as  gradually  to  wean  him  from  earthly  ties, 
until,  on  the  evening  of  Monday,  the  12th  day  of  July, 
1875,  being  nearly  eighty-four  years  of  age,  and  wholly 
ripe  for  heaven,  "he  fell  on  sleep  and  was  not,  for  God 
took  him." 

In  attempting  a  delineation  of  the  character  of  our 
venerable  brother,  it  will  be  my  aim  to  avoid  the  lan- 
guage of  mere  eulogy,  on  the  one  hand,  and  of  a  false 
modesty  on  the  other.  I  know  that  no  one  on  earth 
w^ould  be  more  prompt  than  he  to  scorn  a  fulsome  and 
unmeaning  flattery,  or  to  confess  that  nothing  but  his 
defects  and  faults  were  his  own,  while  all  his  virtues 
and  excellencies  were  the  fruit  of  God's  Holy  Spirit. 
Yet  I  feel  that  a  just  and  truthful  picture  of  the  man 
and  the  preacher  ought  to  be  presented,  both  for  the 
eye  of  affection,  and  the  praise  of  divine  grace,  magnified 
in  him.  Physically,  Elder  Garnett  was  a  man  of 
medium  stature,  of  a  compact  and  vigorous  frame, 
capable  of  severe  and  long-sustained  exertion;  his 
countenance  was  mild  and  pleasant,  lit  up  by  eyes  ex- 
pressive of  a  quick  and  active  intelHgence;  his  voice, 
which  even  at  fourscore  retained  much  of  the  compass 
and  power  of  earlier  days,  was  sweet  and  musical, 
delicately  modulated  to  the  varying  emotions  of  the 
mind.  His  personal  bearing  was  modest  and  retiring, 
but  always  agreeable,  attractive,  and  winning.  He  was 
a  man  of  kindly  and  pleasing,  rather  than  of  impressing 
and  imposing,  presence.  In  the  natural  relations  of  life. 
Brother  Garnett  was  upright  and  exemplary;  a  man  of 
untiring  industry,  he  was  diligent  in  business  as  well  as 
fervent  in  spirit.  A  bountiful  provider  for  his  family; 
a  firm,  yet  equable  and  kind,  ruler  of  his  household ;  a 
good  husband,   father,  and  master;    an  honest  man;    a 


JAMES  GARNETT  207 

frank    and    generous    neighbor;     a    useful    citizen — he 
secured  and  preserved,  through  a  long  life,  the  respect 
and  confidence  of  all  who  knew  him.     As  a  preacher 
he  was  plain,  and   wholly  devoid  of  effort  at  oratory 
or  fine  speaking.     His  favorite  themes  were  those  most 
closely    connected    with    the   cross;     and   his    preaching 
was    characterized    by    a    clearness    of    conception    and 
a  plainness  and  accuracy  of    statement,  which  made  it 
always  instructive,  while  his  illustrations,  being  drawn 
chiefly    from  the   sacred   writings,    rendered   his   people 
more  familiar  with  the  Bible  than  is  ordinarily  the  lot 
of  sermon  hearers.     Although,  as  I  have  said,  his  ser- 
mons were  devoid  of  oratorical  effort  or  display,  yet 
they    were    not    without   that   earnestness    and    feeling, 
which   often   lifted   them   into   true   oratory,    and   gave 
them  power  among  the  people.     He  labored  not  without 
many  proofs  of  the  power  of  his  ministry  in  the  con- 
version of    sinners,  and  the    edification  of    the  saints. 
In    the    administration    of    church    affairs    he    was 
preeminent   for  a  sound  and  judicious  discretion.     He 
was   possessed   of  a  judgment   eminently   calm,    sound, 
and  practical,  and  his  best  thought  and  most  laborious 
effort  were  never  wanting  in  time  of  need.     His  long 
and    uninterrupted  continuance   of    his   pastorates,   the 
almost  unbroken  harmony  of  his  people,  and  the  absorb- 
ing influence  of  his  ministry,   already  alluded  to,    fur- 
nished  emphatic  proof  of  the   wisdom   with   which   he 
guided  the  affairs  of  his  churches.     The  dominant  mild- 
ness and  gentleness  of  his  nature  did  not  prevent,  at  least 
in  the  vigor  of  his  days,  a  sufficient  attention  to  church 
discipline,  in  which  his  endowments,  both  of  nature  and 
of  grace,   enabled  him  to  act  successfully   the  part  of 
peacemaker    and     reclaimer.       His     advice     in    church 
matters  was  as  much  sought  after,  and  as  highly  prized 
as  it  was  freely  given,  and  thus  the  benefits  of  his  sound 
judgment  and  wise  discretion  were  extended  far  beyond 
the  bounds  of  his  own  field  of  labor. 


208         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

I  have  spoken  of  the  diffident  and  retiring  disposition 
of  our  brother;  this  was  a  conspicuous  trait  of  his 
character.  He  never  could  be  drawn  into  prominent 
or  conspicuous  places,  and  always  withdrew  himself  as 
much  as  possible  from  the  public  gaze.  Yet  his  bearing 
was  dignified  and  manly ;  and  when  he  deemed  the 
cause  of  right,  or  some  cherished  truth  to  be  imperiled, 
he  could  and  did  speak  out  with  an  earnest  and  emphatic 
boldness.  His  ministerial  life  was  not  without  som^ 
battles  in  defense  of  right  and  truth,  fought  sometimes 
against  overwhelming  odds.  Our  departed  pastor  was 
possessed  of  strong  and  earnest  convictions  of  truth. 
His  doctrinal  views  were  of  that  moderate,  Calvinian 
cast,  which  regards  election  and  the  effectual  calling  of 
grace  as  wholly  consistent  with  the  moral  responsibility 
of  men.  In  those  matters,  which  are  peculiar  to  us  as 
Baptists,  he  was  sincerely  and  heartily  in  accord  with 
his  people ;  and,  while  removed  to  the  farthest  possible 
degree  from  sectarian  rancor  and  bigotry,  he  was  fear- 
less and  outspoken  in  stating  and  defending  his  concep- 
tions of  the  truth.  And,  indeed,  conscientiousness  was 
very  prominent  in  the  composition  of  his  character.  An 
essential  and  ingrained  honesty  of  soul  made  him  loyal 
to  what  he  conceived  to  be  duty.  His  whole  life  was 
marked  by  an  inflexible  fidelity  to  truth  and  right.  His 
word  was  his  bond ;  his  promises  were  scrupulously 
kept,  his  obligations  were  faithfully  met.  I  am  told 
that  he  was  never  known  to  intermit  family  worship, 
night  and  morning,  until  civil  war  raged  at  his  very 
door,  and  even  this  was  permitted  to  interrupt  only  a 
short  time  a  good  old  custom,  which  he  continued 
through  all  his  severe  and  protracted  illness  up  to  a  very 
few  days  of  his  death.  He  made  it  an  invariable  rule 
to  meet  all  his  preaching  appointments  with  promptness 
and  punctuality,  and  all  pastoral  duties,  which  he  deemed 
binding,  were  performed  with  cheerfulness  and  alacrity. 


JAMES  GARNETT  209 

With  a  true  earnestness  of  heart,  and  unaffected 
simpHcity  of  purpose,  and  an  unselfish,  conscientious 
interest,  he  watched  for  his  people,  as  one  who  should 
give  account  in  the  last  day. 

Any  portraiture  of  our  deceased  pastor  would  be  very 
imperfect,  which  should  leave  out  of  prominent  view  his 
gentleness,  brotherly  kindness,  and  charity.  He  was 
eminently  a  meek,  loving  man.  He  had  well  studied  the 
Apostolic  exhortation,  "Put  on,  therefore,  as  the  elect 
of  God,  holy  and  beloved,  bowels  of  mercies,  kindness, 
humbleness  of  mind,  meekness,  long  suffering,  forbear- 
ing one  another,  and  forgiving  one  another."  He 
possessed  an  innate  refinement  and  delicacy  of  feeling 
which  is  the  noblest  endowment  of  the  true  gentleman. 
To  this  natural  excellence  was  added  the  gentleness  and 
humility  of  the  saint.  Never  was  a  man  more  delicately 
careful  of  the  feelings  of  others,  or  more  kindly  and 
tender  in  his  bearing  towards  all  men ;  even  his  rebukes, 
which  were  often  sharp  and  often  severe,  were  so  inter- 
fused with  the  spirit  of  meekness  and  love  as  not  to 
wound  the  self-respect  or  embitter  the  feelings  of  those 
he  censured;  he  could  rebuke  the  wrong,  and  yet  win 
the  regard  of  the  wrongdoer.  Of  all  the  elements  of 
strength  and  usefulness  in  his  character,  I  suppose  this 
was  the  chief,  for  by  it  he  won  not  simply  the  respect,  but 
the  afTectionate  regard  and  love  of  a  multitude  of  people 
in  every  walk  of  life.  Few  men  were  ever  held  in  more 
tender  esteem,  or  have  left  behind  them  gentler  or  more 
loving  memories. 

Such,  dear  brethren,  was  James  Garnett,  the  man, 
the  Christian,  and  the  pastor,  who,  having  served  God 
according  to  His  will  in  his  generation,  was  gathered  to 
his  fathers  at  a  good  old  age;  honored,  respected,  and 
loved  by  all  classes  of  the  people,  and  sustained  by  an 
unshaken  trust  in  God,  and  a  well-founded  hope  of 
eternal  life. 


210         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

The  foregoing  is  the  tribute  of  Rev.  J.  W.  McCown 
to  Rev.  James  Garnett,  whom  he  succeeded  in  the 
pastorate  of  the  Crooked  Run  Church.  Mr.  Garnett 
was  always  a  true  friend  to  the  cause  of  education. 
Richmond  College  always  had  a  warm  place  in  his 
affections,  and  his  gifts  and  those  of  his  children,  to  this 
institution  and  to  the  Southern  Baptist  Theological 
Seminary,  ran  up  into  the  thousands.  That  he  was  also 
the  friend  of  missions  is  proved  by  the  fact  that,  as  far 
back  as  about  1850,  Crooked  Run  had  a  missionary 
society.  This  society,  led  by  the  pastor  and  a  lady  who 
was  a  large  giver,  had  as  contributors  the  active  mem- 
bers of  the  church.  His  interest  in  the  colored  people 
was  very  great.  Two  meeting-houses  of  the  Crooked 
Run  Church  had  ample  accommodations  for  all  the 
colored  people  who  cared  to  attend  the  regular  services. 
Besides  this  Mr.  Garnett  had  special  appointments  for 
them,  at  which  times  the  whole  house  was  given  to  them. 
After  the  Civil  War  he  secured  a  lot  and  a  building  on 
it,  which  the  colored  people  still  use.  Duty  was  with 
him  a  master  motive.  He  was  prompt  in  meeting  his 
appointments  at  his  four  churches,  on  Saturday  as  well 
as  Sunday,  although  to  do  this  he  often  had  to  eat  his 
breakfast  by  candlelight.  His  comments  on  familiar 
passages  of  Scripture  at  the  Saturday  meetings  were 
instructive  and  edifying. 


THOMAS  B.  EVANS 

Thomas  B.  Evans,  the  only  son  of  WilHam  Evans 
and  Kitty  Tyler  Roy,  was  born  January  13,  1807.  He 
was  baptized  into  the  fellowship  of  the  Mattaponi 
Church,  in  April,  1831.  He  was  gifted  with  large  busi- 
ness ability,  and  was  for  some  time  a  successful  mer- 
chant. His  excellent  judgment  was  so  recognized  by 
his  fellow-citizens  that  he  was  often  called  on  to  audit 
intricate  estates,  and  to  settle  difficult  financial  problems, 
which  threatened  the  peace  and  happiness  of  homes. 
His  county  frequently  sought  his  advice  and  labors.  His 
pious  mother  always  believed  that  he  was  to  be  her 
"preacher  boy,"  and  never  ceased  to  work  and  pray  until 
this  end  was  reached.  In  1837,  he  was  licensed  to 
preach  by  the  Lower  King  and  Queen  Church,  and  in 
1840  ordained  by  the  same  body,  the  Presbytery  consist- 
ing of  Elders  \Vm.  Todd,  George  Northam,  and  R.  A. 
Christian.  Upon  the  organization,  in  1842,  of  the 
Olivet  Church,  King  and  Queen  County,  he  was  called 
to  its  pastorate,  and  in  this  relationship  he  continued 
until  his  death,  a  period  of  thirty-three  years.  For  a 
few  years  he  was  pastor  of  Ephesus  Church,  and  was 
assistant  pastor  for  a  season  to  two  venerable  ministers 
of  the  gospel,  namely  of  Elder  John  Spencer,  at  Poco- 
rone,  and  of  Elder  William  Todd,  at  Lower  King  and 
Queen.  In  1850,  he  was  elected  pastor  of  Glebe  Land- 
ing Church,  Middlesex  County,  and  he  continued  some 
twenty-five  years,  until  his  death,  as  undershepherd  of 
this  flock.  During  the  early  part  of  his  ministry  he 
lived  at  Little  Plymouth,  in  King  and  Queen  County, 
and  then,  having  purchased  the  Farley  Park  farm,  re- 
sided there  the  rest  of  his  life.     Not  only  on  his  imnie- 

211 


212         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

diate  field,  but  in  his  Association,  he  was  a  leader.  Of 
this  body,  the  Rappahannock,  he  was  the  clerk  for 
eleven  years,  and  moderator  more  than  once. 

While  not  perhaps  a  great  student  he  gave  time  and 
thought  to  his  sermons,  his  quick  and  analytic  mind 
enabling  him  thoroughly  to  dissect  his  text.  "He  w^as  a 
ready  speaker  and  a  clear  and  forceful  expounder  of  the 
gospel."  His  sermons  were  never  written,  nor  was  he 
in  the  habit  of  using  notes.  Dr.  G.  G.  Roy,  who  used  to 
hear  Elder  Evans,  when  he  was  a  boy,  tells  several  in- 
cidents which  show  us  this  preacher.  At  the  close  of  a 
most  successful  protracted  meeting  at  the  Glebe  Land- 
ing Church,  when  Mr.  Evans  was  assisted  by  Rev. 
R.  A.  Christian  and  Rev.  Zachary  Street,  the  baptizing 
took  place  in  the  Rappahannock  River,  at  Owen  Hill 
Landing.  Some  eighty  candidates  were  in  line,  Mr.  Evans 
commencing  at  one  end  and  Mr.  Christian  at  the  other. 
Ex-Lieut.  Gov.  Robert  L.  Montague  did  not  go  into  the 
river  as  the  other  candidates  did,  but  lingered  on  the 
shore.  He  had  not  made  up  his  mind  fully  as  to  his 
conversion,  but,  finally,  after  having  walked  back  and 
forth  on  the  shore  for  a  season,  he  took  his  place  and 
was  baptized.  One  Saturday  morning  after  breakfast 
the  boy  saw  the  preacher  go  to  his  study  in  a  remote 
corner  of  the  yard.  After  an  hour  or  so  he  returned 
to  the  porch,  when  the  boy  inquired :  "Cousin  Tom, 
have  you  been  in  the  office  studying  your  lesson  for  to- 
morrow?" He  answered:  "Yes,  Gus."  Upon  which  the 
boy  said:  "Well,  you  learned  it  mighty  quick."  The 
preacher  answered:  "Gus,  I  can  learn  in  two  hours  as 
much,  in  studying  a  subject,  as  I  would  were  I  to  study 
it  all  day."  Once  at  Ephesus  Church  a  minister,  who 
preached  only  occasionally,  occupied  the  pulpit.  After 
having  gone  on  for  a  while  with  his  sermon,  suddenly 
he  paused,  became  confused,  and  sat  down.  At  once 
Mr.  Evans  arose,  said  the  brother  was  not  feeling  well, 


THOMAS  B.  EVANS  213 

and  took  up  the  subject  that  was  being  discussed  and 
went  on  with  it  to  a  finish.  Dr.  Andrew  Broaddus  thus 
describes  Mr.  Evans,  as  he  appeared  in  1847 :  "I  seem 
to  see  his  kindly  face  lit  up  by  a  beaming  smile,  to  hear 
his  cordial  greeting,  and  to  feel  the  warm  grasp  of  his 
hand.  .  .  .  He  was  a  man  of  prepossessing  appear- 
ance. His  erect  and  shapely  figure,  his  intelligent  and 
amiable  countenance,  and  his  frank  and  cordial  manners 
made  a  favorable  impression  on  all  who  met  him.  His 
strong,  but  not  inharmonious,  voice,  his  fluency  of 
speech,  his  ease  of  delivery,  and  his  bright,  clear,  and 
vigorous  mind  rendered  him  deservedly  popular  both  as 
a  pastor  and  as  a  platform  speaker." 

He  died  August  11,  1875,  leaving  a  widow  and  six 
children.  His  sons  are  Dr.  J.  Mason  Evans  and  Judge 
A.  Browne  Evans,  and  his  daughters,  Mrs.  Roderick 
Dew,  Mrs.  R.  H.  Spencer,  Mrs.  J.  R.  Butler,  and  Miss 
Lizzie  T.  Evans. 


PORTER  CLEVELAND 

Porter  Cleveland  was  born  in  Burlington,  Hartford 
County,  Connecticut,  May  31,  1797.  He  came  to  Vir- 
ginia about  1818,  as  a  pedlar.  Little  did  those  who  saw 
him  in  this  humble  guise  think  he  would  ever  become  a 
useful  Baptist  minister,  or  that  he  was  of  a  family  that 
later  would  give  to  the  country  one  of  its  presidents — 
Grover  Cleveland.  In  1821  or  1822,  he  embraced 
religion,  and  connected  himself  with  the  Pine  Grove 
Baptist  Church.  Strange  as  it  may  seem,  he  was  led  to 
conversion  by  his  own  sermon.  It  was  in  this  wise :  He 
was  moved  once  to  preach  a  mock  sermon.  This  greatly 
amused  his  ungodly  hearers,  but  it  resulted  in  his  own 
conversion.  The  day  after  his  baptism,  he  preached  his 
first  sermon,  and  soon  after  was  regularly  ordained,  the 
ordaining  Presbytery  being  composed  of  Rev.  Daniel 
Davis  and  others.  He  continued  in  the  ministry  from 
the  time  he  united  with  Pine  Grove  Church  until  his 
death,  about  fifty-four  years.  He  was  the  pastor  of 
Mountain  Plain  Church,  Albemarle  County,  at  the  time 
of  his  death,  and  was  preparing  to  fill  his  regular  ap- 
pointment at  that  place,  on  Sunday  morning,  April  4, 
1875,  when  he  was  stricken  down  with  paralysis,  dying 
on  Saturday,  June  25,  1875,  having  passed  by  twenty- 
six  days  the  age  of  seventy-eight  years.  At  different 
times  he  was  the  pastor  of  the  following  churches :  Pine 
Grove,  Fork  Union,  Ballinger's  Creek,  Mount  Ed, 
Mountain  Plain,  Free  Union,  Adiel,  Hebron,  and  per- 
haps others.  He  was  also  a  missionary  from  the  General 
Association  to  Augusta  and  Rockingham  for  several 
years.  Of  Mount  Ed  he  was  pastor  for  seventeen  years. 
The  churches  named  in  the  foregoing  list  are  in  Albe- 
marle, Nelson,  and  Fluvanna  counties. 

214 


PORTER  CLEVELAND  215 

He  was  a  good  man,  beloved  not  only  by  the  mem- 
bers of  his  own  churches,  but  by  his  neighbors,  and  the 
members  of  churches  of  other  denominations.  As  a 
minister  of  Christ,  he  was  zealous,  devoted,  and  active 
in  proclaiming  the  gospel,  as  well  to  the  edification  of 
the  people  of  God  as  for  the  conversion  of  sinners. 
From  his  entry  into  the  ministry  to  the  end  of  his  life 
he  was  a  diligent  student,  and  his  library  contained 
many  of  the  best  works  on  theology  and  the  practical 
duties  of  the  Christian  life. 

The  following  incident  shows  that  he  made  good  use 
of  his  library.  A  Methodist  minister  of  some  note, 
named  Lyons,  came  to  his  neighborhood,  and,  after  a 
sensational  announcement,  preached  on  baptism.  In 
closing,  the  speaker  asked  if  any  one  desired  to  make 
any  remarks.  Mr.  Cleveland  arose  and  said  that  on  a 
certain  day  he  would  reply.  Lyons  was  indignant,  but 
could  say  nothing.  At  the  appointed  time,  Mr.  Cleve- 
land spoke  for  four  hours  to  an  immense  audience. 
Lyons  arose  and  questioned  Mr.  Cleveland's  quotations. 
In  the  audience  were  two  Disciple  preachers,  Coleman 
and  Goss,  who  had  driven  twelve  miles,  from  Charlottes- 
ville. They  arose,  and,  showing  the  books  with  which 
they  had  loaded  their  buggy,  said  the  preacher's  words 
were  true.  Another  incident,  or  rather  two,  which 
perhaps  ought  to  go  together,  also  show  us  the  man. 
Once  he  went  to  the  Association,  and  pledged  $40  for 
his  church,  but  when  the  brethren  paid  only  $15,  he  took 
the  balance  from  his  own  pocket-book.  Oliver  Cleve- 
land, who  had  no  children,  took  a  fancy  to  him  and  left 
him  all  his  property,  about  600  acres  of  land  and  his 
slaves.  Mr.  Cleveland  was  round  shouldered,  was  five 
feet  eight  and  one-half  inches  tall,  had  blue  eyes  and 
bright  hair,  and  "wore  a  genial  smile."  He  would  tell 
you  a  yarn,  but  if  you  undertook  to  tell  him  one  he 
would  turn  his  back  on  you  and  walk  off. 


216         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

In  his  religious  convictions  and  opinions  he  was  firm 
and  decided,  yet  charitable  and  tolerant  to  all  those  who 
differed  from  him.  No  one  was  a  stronger  advocate  of 
temperance  than  he  was,  attaching  himself  to  societies 
out  of  the  church  in  order  to  do  good  to  his  fellow-man, 
and  to  aid  in  doing  away  with  the  baneful  evils,  misery, 
and  ruin  attending  the  manufacture,  sale,  and  drinking 
of  intoxicating  liquors.  During  the  Civil  War,  when 
so  many  were  making  brandy  for  gain,  some  one  came 
to  him  and  offered  to  buy  his  apples,  there  being  a  great 
many  in  his  orchard.  He  refused  to  sell  them.  Then 
the  man  advised  him  to  make  brandy,  as  by  it  he  could 
make  much  money  out  of  them.  He  replied  that  his 
applies  might  rot  before  he  would  make  brandy  out  of 
them,  or  sell  them  to  any  one  for  that  purpose,  saying- 
he  had  been  fighting  against  intemperance  for  forty 
years,  and  he  did  not  intend  now  to  undo  what  through 
so  many  years  he  had  tried  to  do.  He  did  not  approve 
of  the  War,  but  felt  that  he  must  be  loyal  to  Virginia, 
the  state  of  his  adoption.  He  denied  himself  and  his 
family  the  use  of  bacon,  quite  a  luxury  then,  that  he 
might  have  more  to  give  to  the  suffering  soldiers. 

He  was  married  twice.  Of  the  first  marriage  two 
sons  were  born,  and  of  the  second  seven  sons  and  one 
daughter.  One  of  his  sons,  Mr.  Matthew  Cleveland, 
lives  at  Pine  Bluff,  Ark. 


PETER  CHARLES  HOGE 

About  1745  three  brothers,  James,  Thomas,  and  Peter 
Hog,  emigrated  from  Scotland  and  settled  in  Augusta 
County,  Virginia.  They  were  kin  to  James  Hog,  the 
"Ettrick  Shepherd,"  had  been  born  in  Edinburgh,  and 
were  descendants  of  Roger  Hog,  of  the  time  of  David 
II  (1324-1371),  who  received  rents  from  Dalby,  and 
also  from  the  estate  of  Kenton  in  East  Haddington. 
Peter  Hog  was  commissioned  as  "Captain"  by  Governor 
Dinwiddie,  in  1754.  He  served  continuously  under 
George  Washington,  and  was  appointed  by  Governor 
Dinwiddie  to  construct  a  line  of  fortifications  along  the 
frontier.  He  also  served  in  the  Big  Sandy  expedition 
against  the  Shawnee  Indians.  In  1772,  he  was  licensed 
to  practice  law,  and  was  appointed  by  Governor  Duns- 
more  Assistant  Attorney  General  in  his  district.  He  was 
given  large  grants  of  land  in  Kentucky  and  Virginia,  on 
the  Kanawha  and  Ohio  rivers.  He  also  owned  a  large 
estate  in  Augusta  County,  where  he  died,  in  1782.  This 
estate  he  left  to  his  son  James,  who  married  a  Miss 
Gregory.  Of  this  union  was  born,  in  Augusta  County, 
near  Staunton,  Va.,  on  January  22,  1808,  Peter  Charles 
Hoge.  He  received  a  liberal  education,  his  father  desir- 
ing that  he  become  a  lawyer.  The  young  man,  however, 
had  his  head  set  on  the  ministry,  though  what  put  this 
notion  into  his  head  does  not  appear.  For  the  time 
being,  however,  neither  of  these  plans  was  carried  out, 
but  a  third.  When  he  was  nineteen  years  old  he  was 
married  to  Miss  Sarah  Kerr,  who  was  only  seventeen, 
and  settled  down  as  a  farmer  to  manage  the  large  estates 
of  himself  and  wife.  He  seems  to  have  raised  many 
cattle  and  used  to  drive  large  herds  of  them  to  Richmond 
to  sell.  In  the  process  of  time  there  were  born  to  this 
couple   thirteen  children,   twelve   of  whom   lived   to  be 

217 


218         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

over  fifty  years  old.  In  after  years,  Mr.  Hoge,  who  was 
a  thorough  beHever  in  early  marriages,  said  he  only 
regretted  that  he  had  not  married  sooner  than  he  did. 
In  1840  or  1841.  he  sold  both  of  these  estates  for  $40,- 
000  and  moved  to  Scottsville.  Here  he  became  a  mem- 
ber of  the  firm  of  Hoge,  Paris,  and  Whitmore.  They 
opened  stores  in  Richmond,  New  Canton,  Scottsville, 
and  Buchanan.  These  towns  were  in  those  days  on  a 
boom,  since  they  were  on  the  James  River  and  Kanawha 
Canal,  and  became  shipping  points  for  the  wagon  trade 
that  had  formerly  gone  on  to  Richmond  by  the  Three 
Chop  road.  This  large  business  venture  was  not,  how- 
ever, for  Mr.  Hoge,  a  success.  Before  long  his  money 
was  all  gone.  So  next  he  taught  school,  kept  the  post- 
office,  and  edited  a  newspaper.  About  this  time  he  be- 
came a  Baptist,  and  it  came  to  pass  on  this  wise :  He  had 
been  reared  a  Presbyterian,  and  was  an  elder  in  the 
Scottsville  Presbyterian  Church.  A  Baptist  minister, 
by  the  name  of  Reynoldson,  an  Englishman,  who  after- 
wards lost  his  life  on  a  voyage  to  his  native  land,  was 
conducting  a  protracted  meeting  in  Scottsville.  Towards 
the  close  of  the  series  of  services  he  preached  a  sermon 
on  baptism.  The  Presbyterians  were  touched  by  the 
sermon  and  challenged  him  to  a  debate  on  infant 
baptism,  appointing  as  their  champion  Mr.  Hoge.  He 
had  up  to  this  time  accepted  on  this  question  the  state- 
ments of  the  Westminster  catechism.  After  having 
made  a  scriptural  investigation  of  the  matter  he  pre- 
sented himself  for  membership  in  the  Scottsville  Baptist 
Church. 

On  the  third  Saturday  of  October,  1850,  he  preached 
his  first  sermon.  The  following  summer  he  conducted 
a  protracted  meeting  at  Lyle's  Church  (Fluvanna 
County),  and  in  the  fall  of  1851  was  called  to  be  the 
assistant  to  Rev.  Robert  Lilly.  This  relationship  con- 
tinued until  1856,  when,  upon  Mr.  Lilly's  death,  he  be- 
came pastor  of  the  church,  a  position  which,  on  account 


PETER  CHARLES  HOGE  219 

of  Mr.  Lilly's  feebleness,  he  had  practically  held  for 
some  years.  A  few  years  later  he  became  pastor  of 
Bybee's  Road  Church,  and  a  few  years  later  still  of 
Beaver  Dam  Church,  and  also  of  Antioch  Church,  a 
colony  of  the  Scottsville  Church.  Of  these  churches  he 
remained  pastor  until  the  end  of  his  life,  though  he  seems 
to  have  also  done  missionary  work  under  the  State 
Mission  Board  beyond  the  bounds  of  this  field.  In  1852, 
his  report  through  the  State  Mission  Board  to  the  Gen- 
eral Association  tells  of  work  done  in  Augusta,  Albe- 
marle, and  Nelson  counties.  Of  his  work  in  Augusta 
County  he  says :  "In  this  county  there  is  indeed  a  state 
of  things  well  calculated  to  arrest  attention  and  to  excite 
the  most  sanguine  hope.  Until  within  the  last  two  years 
it  has  been  almost  entirely  under  pedobaptist  influence, 
and  but  little  was  known  of  the  views  and  polity  of  the 
Baptist  church,  and  but  little  inclination  to  know  more. 
Nozi',  there  is  in  the  county  not  only  a  flourishing 
church  of  more  than  one  hundred  souls — most  of  them 
white,  having  wealth,  intelligence,  piety,  and,  in  a  word, 
all  the  elements  of  influence  and  permanency — but  there 
is  a  desire  among  the  people  to  know  more  of  our  views ; 
a  spirit  of  inquiry,  the  legitimate  fruits  of  which  are  a 
disenthralment  from  the  gyves  of  early  prejudice,  and 
an  extension  of  the  borders  of  truth."  The  churches 
named  above,  which  he  served  for  so  many  years,  were 
near  enough  together  to  form  a  compact  field,  and  in 
the  spring  and  summer  months  many  were  able  to  attend 
services  not  only  at  their  own  but  at  the  sister  church. 
The  congregations  were  large,  so  large  that  often  an 
overflow  service  had  to  be  held  in  an  arbor,  and  finally 
two  of  the  churches  were  obliged  to  enlarge  their  meet- 
ing-houses. Not  only  by  his  own  members,  but  also  by 
people  of  other  denominations,  he  was  greatly  beloved. 
While  a  thorough-going  Baptist  he  knew  how  to  be  all 
courtesy  to  those  of  other  views.  One  Sunday  a  Metho- 
dist preacher  was  present  at  Beaver  Dam.     Mr.  Hoge 


220         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

invited  him  into  the  pulpit.  The  sermon  was  followed 
by  the  Lord's  Supper.  Mr.  Hoge  gave  the  usual  invita- 
tion, explained  the  position  of  Baptists  as  to  this  ordi- 
nance, and  then  turning  to  the  Methodist  minister  ex- 
pressed the  hope  that  he  would  honor  the  Baptists  for 
being  loyal  to  their  convictions.  The  Methodist  minister 
made  gracious  response.  At  Bybee's  Road  and  Lyle's 
there  were  two  Methodist  ministers  who  attended  the 
services  regularly.  They  neither  stayed  away  on  com- 
munion Sundays,  nor  took  exception  to  their  not  being 
invited  to  commune. 

Besides  work  on  his  own  field,  Mr.  Hoge  was  much 
in  protracted  meetings  in  the  counties  of  Nelson,  Am- 
herst, Albemarle,  Buckingham,  Goochland,  and  Louisa. 
He  would  have  made  a  successful  evangelist.  Bishop 
Wilmer,  of  the  Episcopal  Church,  who  refugeed  at 
Scottsville  during  the  War,  and  often  heard  Mr.  Hoge 
preach,  thought  he  ought  to  give  himself  wholly  to 
evangelistic  work.  Mr.  Hoge  was  a  hard  student,  had 
a  good  library,  read  a  great  deal,  and  made  careful  prepa- 
ration for  the  pulpit.  While  he  never  went  to  one  of  his 
appointments  without  thorough  preparation.  Dr.  Charles 
R.  Dickinson,  who  had  known  him  to  change  his  text 
and  sermon  after  entering  the  pulpit,  and  yet  preach  an 
excellent  sermon,  said  he  was  the  most  rapid  thinker  he 
had  ever  known.  Rev.  James  E.  Poindexter,  of  the 
Episcopal  Church,  used  to  hear  Mr.  Hoge  preach  at 
Lyle's,  when  he  was  a  boy,  and  he  never  forgot  the  ser- 
mons, the  illustrations,  in  the  use  of  which  Mr.  Hoge 
was  most  happy,  seeming  to  fix  the  message  in  his  mind. 
Mr.  Hoge  is  remembered  as  having  in  no  small  degree 
the  gift  of  oratory.  He  was  of  commanding  and 
attractive  personality.  He  was  six  feet  two  inches  in 
height,  with  blue  eyes,  light  brown  hair,  and  smooth, 
even  features.  In  speaking  his  gestures  were  graceful, 
and  he  possessed  that  strange  power  to  which  has  been 
given  the  name  of  magnetism.     He  had  calls  to  the  Lex- 


PETER  CHARLES  HOGE  221 

ington,  Manchester,  and  Lynchburg  churches,  but  chose 
rather  to  remain  in  the  country.  As  a  pastor  he  was 
faithful,  sympathetic,  and  greatly  beloved.  When  neces- 
sary he  would  ride  twenty  miles  through  the  snow  to 
minister  to  his  members  in  trouble.  After  the  lapse  of 
so  many  years  since  his  death,  his  memory  is  still  green 
in  these  country  neighborhoods,  where  he  was  for  so 
long  undershepherd. 

He  was  always  a  great  lover  of  home,  and  greatly 
concerned  about  the  training  of  his  children.  This  and 
his  many  calls  to  protracted  meetings  often  kept  him 
from  attending  the  meetings  of  the  General  Association. 
At  his  home  in  Scottsville  he  had  some  four  acres  of 
fertile  land,  which  enabled  him,  with  the  aid  of  his  wife, 
who  was  a  good  manager  and  an  excellent  gardener,  to 
have  a  good  garden,  and  to  raise  an  abundance  of  fowls. 
There  was  also  his  fine  spring  and  clear  pool  of  water, 
so  his  poultry  yard  included  ducks  and  geese,  and  besides 
there  were  pigeons  and  guinea  fowls.  So  he  was  able  to 
entertain,  as  he  delighted  to  do,  his  friends  and  brethren. 
In  1872  the  wife  of  his  youth  passed  away.  Some  two 
years  later  he  was  married  to  the  widow  Coons,  of  Cul- 
peper  County,  who  survived  him.  During  his  whole  life 
his  health  had  been  good,  but  in  1875  he  had  some  slight 
symptoms  of  paralysis.  He  was  relieved  for  a  season 
and  continued  his  work,  but  in  the  winter  of  that  year 
he  was  stricken  more  severely,  while  in  the  pulpit  at 
Beaver  Dam.  Drs.  C.  R.  Dickinson,  of  Louisa,  and 
Bocock,  of  Albemarle,  attended  him,  and  he  was  able  to 
return  to  his  home  in  Scottsville.  There,  on  Monday, 
July  17,  1876,  another  stroke  ended  his  life.  His 
funeral  took  place  at  the  Baptist  church,  at  Scottsville, 
the  services  being  conducted  by  Rev.  W.  C.  Hall,  Rev. 
T.  D.  Bell,  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  assisting  him. 
The  churches,  he  had  served  so  long  and  so  well,  adopted 
and  published  resolutions  expressing  their  admiration 
and  affection  for  him. 


ALPHONSE  PAUL  REPITON 

Alphonse  Paul  Repiton  was  born  in  Williamsburg, 
Va.,  January  1,  1808.  As  his  name  would  suggest,  his 
parents  were  French.  They  were  also  Catholics,  and  his 
early  years  were  under  their  influence.  The  death  of  his 
parents  left  him  an  orphan,  when  he  was  eight  years  old, 
whereupon  he  went  to  Norfolk  to  be  with  his  guardian. 
This  guardian  cared  little  for  the  physical  and  even  less 
for  the  spiritual  welfare  of  the  child  for  whom,  in  the 
eyes  of  the  law  at  least,  he  was  responsible.  Before 
reaching  his  majority  young  Repiton  attended  a  meeting 
held  by  Rev.  Dr.  R.  B.  C.  Howell,  at  the  Cumberland 
Street  Baptist  Church,  of  Norfolk,  which  proved  a 
blessed  crisis  in  his  life.  By  these  services  he  was  led  to 
study  the  Bible  and  was  converted.  He  united  w^ith  the 
church  and  decided  to  preach.  From  this  time  "to  the 
day  God  took  him  home  he  was  heart  and  soul  a  child  of 
God,  and  a  staunch  Baptist."  He  attended  the  Virginia 
Baptist  Seminary,  and  was  a  member  of  the  first  gradu- 
ating class  that  the  Seminary  turned  out.  In  1836,  the 
four  graduates  were  William  I.  Chiles,  Elias  Dodson, 
A.  P.  Repiton,  and  Jno.  O.  Turpin.  Three  others  who 
should  have  been  among  the  graduates  this  year,  William 
Mylne,  R.  D.  Davenport,  and  J.  L.  Shuck,  had  left 
school  to  go  as  foreign  missionaries. 

As  late  as  1876  "Dunlora,"  the  home  of  Rev.  Edward 
Baptist,  in  Powhatan  County,  was  standing.  This  place 
Rev.  R.  W.  Cridlin,  who  gives  the  incident  that  follows, 
thinks  deserves  the  name  of  the  birthplace  of  Richmond 
College,  for  it  was  here  that  Rev.  Edward  Baptist  had 
the  school,  which  afterwards  became  the  College.  On 
an  old  staircase  in  this  building  Mr.  Cridlin  saw  the 
initials    of    a    number    of    students,    and    among    them 

999 


i 


ALPHONSE  PAUL  REPITON  223 

"A.  P.  R."  On  one  occasion  one  of  the  students  in 
preaching  so  greatly  offended,  unconsciously,  one  of  his 
hearers  that  he  was  treated  to  a  horsewhipping.  During 
the  trial  which  followed  one  of  the  lawyers  called  in 
question  a  statement  made  by  A.  P.  Repiton.  Repiton 
at  once  said :  "Sir,  if  you  think  you  can  treat  me  as  you 
do  Goodall,  follow  me  into  the  public  road  and  I  will 
show  you."  As  he  spoke  these  words  he  showed  his 
arm,  which  was  of  great  size  and  power.  During  this 
trial  the  judge  turned  to  Rev.  Mr.  Baptist  and  said: 
"Sir,  tell  me  who  is  at  the  head  of  the  Baptist  church?" 
Mr.  Baptist  answered  with  emphasis :  "Jesus  Christ,  sir." 
Upon  his  graduation  Mr.  Repiton  accepted  as  his  first 
charge  a  church  in  Virginia.  His  second  field  was  in 
Wilmington,  N.  C.  When  he  had  served  this  church 
long  enough  to  know  thoroughly  the  needs  of  the  people, 
he  was  convinced  that  the  best  work  he  could  do  would 
be  to  build  a  meeting-house,  where  the  laboring  classes, 
who  were  too  poor  to  pay  a  minister,  might  hear  the 
gospel  preached.  He  enlisted  the  sympathy  of  the 
citizens,  and,  with  their  help,  erected  a  small  house  of 
worship,  where  for  many  years  he  preached  to  the  poor 
without  remuneration.  During  the  latter  part  of  the 
War  this  edifice  was  burned,  but  by  this  time  the  con- 
gregation was  more  prosperous,  so  the  lot  was  sold  and 
the  proceeds  given  to  the  First  Baptist  Church,  of 
Wilmington,  to  use  for  their  pulpit  when  their  new 
structure  was  built.  During  the  War,  when  Wilmington 
passed  through  a  fearful  scourge  of  yellow  fever,  to 
which  sad  episode  more  extended  allusion  is  made  in 
another  part  of  this  volume,  he  was  one  of  the  four 
ministers  who  remained  in  the  city,  namely,  two  Baptists, 
one  Catholic,  and  one  Episcopalian.  At  the  end  of  the 
fearful  calamity  he  alone  of  these  noble  four  was  alive 
to  comfort  those  who  mourned  for  their  loved  ones  who 
w^ere  no  more. 


224         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

In  October,  1869,  Mr.  Repiton  returned  to  Norfolk, 
Va.,  to  live.  During  the  remaining  years  of  his  life  he 
was  pastor  first  and  last  of  the  following  churches  not 
very  distant  from  the  city :  Deep  Creek,  Franklin, 
London  Bridge,  Millfield,  St.  John's,  Northwest,  and 
Salem.  He  continued  his  work  as  pastor  and  preacher 
to  the  end  of  his  life.  He  was  for  several  years  chaplain 
of  the  Ruth  Lodge  of  Masons,  of  Norfolk.  On  April  1, 
1876,  he  closed  his  earthly  ministry  and  "was  not,  for 
God  took  him."  A  large  part  of  the  material  for  this 
sketch  was  furnished  by  Mr.  Repiton's  daughter,  Mrs. 
R.  W.  Lamb,  of  Norfolk. 


JAMES  FIFE 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  first  saw  the  light  in  Edin- 
burgh, July,  1794,  being  one  of  four  children  born  to 
William  and  Catherine  Fife.  In  and  near  the  Scottish 
capital  his  early  years  were  passed.  For  a  while  his 
father  lived  at  Goshen,  where  he  raised  large  quantities 
of  fruit  and  vegetables  for  the  city  market.  The  grow- 
ing boy  saw  much  of  Edinboro  town,  for  on  week  days 
he  was  wont  to  come  along  with  the  wagons  to  market, 
starting  from  home  long  before  dawn,  and  on  Sundays 
he  and  his  father.  Bibles  in  hand,  made  three  trips  on 
foot  to  the  city  church.  Surely  he  could  not  fail  to  re- 
ceive deep  and  lasting  impressions  as  he  walked  day 
after  day  the  streets  of  one  of  the  most  picturesque  cities 
of  Europe.  Although  a  hundred  years  ago  Edinburgh 
may  not  have  been  as  beautiful  as  it  is  to-day,  still  the 
noble  castle,  from  its  lofty  hill,  dominated  the  whole 
town,  while  at  the  other  end  of  the  narrow  and  steep 
Cannongate  stood  Holyrood,  at  once  a  solemn  ruin  and 
a  splendid  palace.  John  Knox's  house,  St.  Giles'  Church, 
the  burying-ground  where  Adam  Smith  had  recently 
been  laid  to  rest,  and  a  hundred  other  places  of  interest 
were  to  be  seen.  Father  and  son  did  not  breathe  in  vain 
the  literary  and  intellectual  atmosphere  of  this  "Modem 
Athens."  Although  the  elder  Fife  may  not  have  known 
personally  Robertson,  the  historian,  Dugal  Stewart, 
Hume,  Adam  Smith,  Sir  Walter  Scott,  and  other  literary 
stars  of  the  day,  nor  have  bought  all  their  books  as  they 
came  fresh  from  the  press,  he  was  not  without  literary 
taste  and  attainments ;  we  know  that  he  read  the  French 
Bible  with  ease  and  satisfaction.  As  for  his  son,  he  ac- 
quired in  these  early  days  a  fondness  for  books  that  he 
never  lost. 

225 


226         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

William  Fife  was  a  Presbyterian  elder,  a  man  of  deep 
piety  and  active  zeal.  He  was  much  given  to  prayer, 
often  going  to  his  closet  as  many  as  six  or  seven  times  a 
day  for  secret  devotions.  Towards  the  close  of  his  life 
especially,  he  was  fond  of  visiting  the  afflicted  and  of 
exhorting.  That  he  was  a  spiritually  minded  man  and  a 
highly  esteemed  Christian,  is  witnessed  to  by  his  pastor, 
and  by  the  fact  that  at  his  funeral,  February  24,  1841, 
four  hundred  persons  followed  his  remains  to  the  grave 
in  the  West  Church  burying-ground.  Under  remarkably 
interesting  circumstances  he,  as  well  as  his  son  James, 
and  a  number  of  others,  became  Baptists.  It  was  on  this 
wise :  A  baby  was  presented  for  "baptism,"  whose  father 
had  been  accidentally  killed,  and  whose  mother  was  not 
a  Christian.  The  question  as  to  who  was  to  answer  for 
the  child  caused  great  discussion  in  the  church.  There 
was  so  much  difference  of  opinion  that  they  finally 
decided  to  study  the  New  Testament  for  light  on  the 
subject.  As  a  result  of  this  study,  the  pastor.  Rev.  Mr. 
Innes,  and  about  half  his  members  united  with  the 
Baptists.  In  this  way,  Mr.  Fife  and  his  son  were 
brought  to  know  Robert  and  James  Alexander  Haldane, 
who  also,  upon  examination  of  the  Scriptures,  had  be- 
come Baptists.  These  brothers  exerted  a  wide  influence 
for  good,  the  former  by  his  pen,  and  by  his  philanthropy, 
the  latter  by  his  preaching.  James  Haldane  was  an 
intimate  friend  of  the  elder  Fife,  and  spoke  at  his 
funeral. 

When  about  eighteen  years  of  age,  James  Fife  and  his 
brother  William  came  to  this  country,  whither  they  had 
been  preceded  several  years  before  by  their  brother 
Robert  Beverly.  Not  to  speak  of  the  love  of  adventure 
and  travel  which  seems  to  be  an  Anglo-Saxon  trait,  the 
attraction  in  America  was  the  estate  of  a  wealthy  uncle 
to  which  they  had  fallen  heirs.  Robert  Beverly  married 
a  Miss  Sarah  Banks,  of  Fredericksburg,  and  lived  above 


JAMES  FIFE  227 

the  town  at  a  place  called  Fall  Hill;  William  settled  in 
Gloucester,  where  his  uncle  had  lived,  and  practiced 
medicine  for  years.  James  Fife,  for  a  while  after  his 
arrival,  lived  in  Richmond,  where  he  held  the  position 
of  city  engineer.  He  had  as  friends,  among  the  Scotch 
residents,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  James  Kennard  (Mrs.  Kennard 
he  had  known  in  Scotland),  and  among  the  Baptists, 
Jas.  C.  Crane  and  Richard  Gwathmey.  Mr.  Fife  had 
preached  in  the  villages  around  Edinburgh,  and  probably 
before  1820  he  was  actively  engaged  in  the  work  of  the 
ministry  in  this  country,  for  in  that  year  we  have  an 
account  of  his  making  a  journey  from  Goochland  County 
— whither  he  had  shortly  before  moved — to  Philadel- 
phia to  attend  the  Triennial  Convention.  The  letter 
describing  this  journey  shows  us  what  a  different  thing 
traveling  was  then  from  what  it  is  now  in  this  day  of 
express  trains  and  Pullman  cars.  The  following  extracts 
are  made  from  a  diary  which  he  kept  for  friends  in 
Scotland:  "April  18th.  Rode  over  to  Cartersville, 
where  I  met  with  Bro.  Baptist ;  staid  to  dinner,  after 
w^hich  we  set  out  for  Philadelphia.  April  20th.  .  .  . 
The  roads  were  so  rough  that  we  could  make  but  little 
progress.  .  .  .  We  arrived  (Fredericksburg)  about 
half  past  4  p.  M.  .  .  .  April  22d.  Took  the 
stage  for  the  steamboat.  There  were  but  two  passengers 
besides  myself  and  Bro.  Baptist.  After  two  hours'  ride 
over  a  very  rough  road  got  to  the  Potomac  River.  .  .  , 
After  supper  we  got  into  a  little  boat,  which  carried  us 
out  into  the  river  for  about  two  miles,  where  we  entered 
the  steam  boat  at  9  p.  m.  ;  went  to  bed  about  ten,  and 
this  morning  at  daybreak  rose  in  sight  of  Washington. 
I  am  now  sitting  writing  in  the  room  of  Col. 
Johnson,  who  killed  Tecumseh,  the  Indian  chief.  The 
colonel  is  a  member  of  Congress.  .  .  .  Have  just  re- 
turned from  Congress,  and  can  only  say  that  it  is  the 
most  elegant  house  I  ever  saw.     .     .     .     The  chaplain 


228         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

of  Congress  is  a  Baptist  minister.     .     .     .     April  24th. 

This  morning  by  5  a.  m.  went  to  the  stage 
office,  got  a  seat  in  the  first  stage,  and  set  out  for  Balti- 
more, where  we  arrived  about  noon.  Baltimore  is  an 
elegant  town,  and  contains  about  50,000  inhabitants. 
Washington,  about  13,000.  We  staid  here  till  5  p.  m., 
when  we  walked  down  to  the  steamboat. 
April  26th.  Yesterday  at  3  a.  m.  got  to  Frenchtown. 
Here  we  took  the  stage  ...  to  Newcastle,  on  the 
Delaware  River,  at  which  place  we  took  the  steamboat 
again,  which  carried  us  to  Philadelphia.  We  arrived  at 
9  A.  M.,  having  traveled  126  miles,  which  cost  $7,  from 
Baltimore  to  Philadelphia.  To-day,  at  11  a.  m.,  the 
Convention    met    at    Dr.    Staughton's    Meeting    House. 

Bro.  Brown  preached  at  night  to  a  large  con- 
gregation at  Staughton's  Meeting  House,  after  which  a 
collection    was    taken    up    for    the    mission.      May    3d. 

There  are  seven  Baptist  meeting-houses  in  this 
city.  .  .  .  Bro.  Mercer,  from  Georgia,  also  gave  an 
interesting  account  of  an  intercourse  between  the  Choc- 
taws  and  Creek  Indians,  and  the  associations  in  Georgia. 

May  6th.  Yesterday  was  taken  up  in  discuss- 
ing whether  we  would  have  a  Seminary  at  Washington 
or  not.  After  a  great  deal  of  debate  it  was  decided  to 
have  it  at  Washington,  for  which  purpose  in  six  months 
upwards  of  $9,000  have  been  subscribed.  In  the  even- 
ing I  preached  in  the  New  Market  Street  Meeting 
House." 

With  his  residence  in  Goochland  County,  Mr.  Fife 
began  a  life,  that  of  a  Virginia  country  pastor,  to  which 
he  was  to  give  his  best  affections,  his  untiring  efforts, 
and  a  large  number  of  years.  He  lived  at  a  place,  named 
Fife's,  no  doubt  after  him,  and  ministered  to  these 
four  churches :  Lickinhole,  Perkins',  Southanna,  and 
Williams'.  From  none  of  his  churches  did  he  ever 
receive  much  material  compensation.    In  this  he  followed 


JAMES  FIFE  229 

the  custom  of  the  day.  In  his  habit,  however,  of  giving 
to  missions  all  he  received  from  his  churches,  he  was 
perhaps  an  exception.  He  could  the  more  easily  do  this 
as  he  was  in  comfortable  circumstances.  He  might  have 
had  more  money  for  preaching  had  he  wished,  for  while 
he  was  in  Goochland,  he  had  calls  to  several  town 
churches,  one  being  from  the  church  in  Petersburg. 

There  now  comes  an  event  in  the  life  of  Mr.  Fife 
which  was  to  prove  an  epoch  in  the  history  of  Virginia 
Baptists.  Since  1800,  the  only  general  organization 
bringing  all  the  Baptists  of  the  State  together  was  the 
General  Committee  of  Correspondence.  Gradually  this 
body  had  lost  its  grip  on  the  sympathy  of  the  churches, 
until,  at  the  meeting  in  Charlottesville,  in  1822,  only 
three  messengers,  one  layman  and  two  ministers,  were 
present,  namely,  Thornton  Stringfellow,  Edward  Baptist, 
and  James  Fife.  As  Baptist  and  Fife,  the  meeting  being 
over,  rode  towards  Goochland,  they  reviewed  the  situa- 
tion, and  decided  to  attempt  the  organization  of  a  gen- 
eral association  among  the  Baptists  of  the  State  for  mis- 
sionary and  educational  work.  With  this  object  in  view, 
they  called  a  meeting  for  the  next  year,  in  Richmond. 
The  proposed  meeting  was  held  June  2,  1823,  in  the 
Second  Baptist  Church,  which  was  at  that  time  on  a 
cross  street  between  Main  and  Cary.  Fifteen  delegates 
were  present ;  the  introductory  sermon  was  preached  by 
Rev.  R.  B.  Semple  from  the  text,  Hebrews  13:16,  "But 
to  do  good  and  to  communicate  forget  not,  for  with  such 
sacrifices  God  is  well  pleased."  Dr.  Semple  was  chosen 
moderator,  and  Wm.  Todd  secretary.  And  so  the  Gen- 
eral Association  of  Virginia  was  formed.  While  the 
number  of  delegates  was  small,  there  were  some  present 
whose  ability  was  already  recognized,  and  others  who  in 
after  days  were  to  become  leaders  in  the  denomination 
and  a  power  for  God  in  the  State.  Sermons  were 
preached  during  the  session  by  various  brethren,  Luther 


230         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

Rice,  O.  B.  Brown,  Daniel  Witt,  Edward  Baptist,  and 
James  Fife.  Dr.  Jeter,  who  was  present,  says  of  these 
several  preachers  and  their  sermons :  "On  comparing 
these  sermons  I  would  say,  that  of  Rice  was  the  feeblest, 
that  of  Baptist  the  most  beautiful,  that  of  Brown  the 
most  profound,  that  of  Fife  the  most  impressive,  and 
that  of  Witt  the  most  popular."  Mr.  Fife  on  this  occa- 
sion preached  from  the  text:  "How  shall  we  escape  if 
we  neglect  so  great  salvation?"  "His  sermon,"  says  Dr. 
Jeter,  "was  quite  impressive,  and  produced  a  deep  im- 
pression on  his  hearers,  as  was  evinced  by  their  tears." 

While  for  years  the  new  organization  was  hampered 
by  constitutional  provisions,  born  of  the  desire  of  the 
fathers,  to  leave  no  room  for  any  suspicion  that  the 
rights  of  the  individual  churches  were  to  be  invaded, 
nevertheless  a  start  in  the  right  direction  had  been  made, 
and  to-day  we  are  reaping  the  rich  fruits  of  the  seed 
sown  with  so  much  care  and  so  many  tears.  Had  Baptist 
and  Fife  done  nothing  less,  they  ought  to  be  held  in 
honor  forever  by  Virginia  Baptists  as  the  fathers  of  our 
General  Association.  When,  in  1873,  the  Semi-Cen- 
tennial  was  celebrated.  Rev.  Edward  Baptist  had  fallen 
on  sleep,  but  Mr.  Fife  was  present,  and,  at  the  great 
gathering  under  a  tent  on  the  campus  of  Richmond 
College,  opened  the  exercises  with  prayer. 

About  the  year  1824,  when  Goochland  was  his  home, 
Mr.  Fife  was  married  to  Miss  Miller,  of  that  county. 
From  this  union  two  sons,  William  J.  and  John  Miller, 
were  born.  The  younger  child  and  the  mother  did  not 
live  long,  and  the  older  son  died  in  July,  1870.  Mr.  Fife 
was  married  the  second  time  to  Mrs.  Margaret  W. 
Minor,  the  widow  of  Henry  L.  Minor,  Esq.,  and  the 
daughter  of  Rev.  Jacob  W.  Herndon,  of  Spottsylvania. 
The  children  of  this  marriage  were  R.  H.,  and  Miss 
Kate  Fife.  They  survived  their  parents  (their  mother 
died  in  1884),  and  were  active,  useful,  honored  members 


JAMES  FIFE  231 

of  the  Charlottesville  church.  R.  H.  Fife  being  for  years 
one  of  the  deacons  and  the  superintendent  of  the  Sunday 
school. 

Mr.  Fife  was  preeminently  successful  as  a  preacher 
in  protracted  meetings,  having  especial  gifts  for  evan- 
gelistic work.  In  his  childhood,  he  had  committed  a 
large  part  of  the  Bible  to  memory,  and  was  able  to  give 
the  chapter  and  verse  for  every  quotation  from  the  New 
Testament.  Though  he  had  never  had  a  college  educa- 
tion, still  he  was  fond  of  books,  and  made  use  of  them 
in  his  preparation  for  the  pulpit.  Yet  he  was  a  man  of 
one  book,  honoring  the  Word  of  God  as  his  authority, 
and  as  the  storehouse  from  which  he  drew  his  material. 
His  father,  referring  to  his  lack  of  an  education,  and 
giving  him  advice  as  to  his  work  as  a  preacher,  wrote 
thus :  "You  need  not  regret  your  want  of  education,  the 
excellence  of  the  power  is  the  more  seen  to  be  of  God,  to 
whom  only  all  the  glory  is  due.  It  was  a  saying  of 
Rowland  Hill,  'It's  the  best  cat  that  catches  the  most 
mice.'  ...  I  beseech  you,  my  son,  to  take  none  of 
the  glory  of  the  success  of  your  meetings  to  yourself, 
but  give  it  all  to  God  to  whom  only  it  is  due,  for  we  are 
in  danger  of  thinking  ourselves  to  be  something  when 
we  are  nothing.  ..."  Mr.  Fife  had  a  good,  full 
voice,  which  gave  effect  to  his  public  reading  of  the 
Scriptures  and  of  hymns,  no  less  than  to  the  delivery  of 
his  sermons.  He  was  also  much  gifted  in  prayer.  Dr. 
Jeter's  testimony  as  to  his  sermon  in  Richmond  at  the 
General  Association  has  already  been  given.  From  Mr. 
Fife's  letters  it  appears  that  quite  frequently,  even  on 
ordinary  occasions,  his  sermons  led  his  hearers  to  shout. 
The  well-known  dignity  and  good  sense  of  the  man  for- 
bid us  to  think  of  him  as  what  would  now  be  called  a 
sensational  preacher.  So  far  from  encouraging  shout- 
ing, he  sought  to  repress  it.  Once  in  Goochland  the 
whole   congregation   was   much   stirred   and   one   sister 


232         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

shouted.  Whereupon  he  paused  and  said  he  would  stop 
for  five  minutes,  to  allow  all  who  wanted  to  shout  to  do 
so.  No,  Mr.  Fife  was  not  sensational;  let  us  rather  say 
that  he  preached  with  unction.  This  one  word  tells  the 
secret  of  his  power  over  men  for  their  good,  and  for  the 
glory  of  God.  Very  great  success  attended  his  preach- 
ing in  protracted  meetings.  During  "the  great  revival 
of  1831,"  in  Richmond,  he  was  one  of  the  chief  speakers 
and  workers.  With  Elder  Baptist,  he  went  to  that  city, 
their  plan  being  to  hold  a  meeting ;  they  put  their  hands 
to  the  work  with  a  vim.  Four  services  were  held  each 
day,  at  three  of  which  Mr.  Fife  preached.  Large  crowds 
attended  and  deep  feeling  pervaded  the  city.  Rev. 
James  B.  Taylor,  pastor  of  the  Second  Church,  was 
absent  from  the  city  on  a  tour  for  the  Religious  Herald, 
when  the  meetings  began.  Upon  his  return,  he  "found 
Richmond  turned  upside  down."  Many  were  converted 
and  added  to  the  churches  at  this  time,  nor  was  this  the 
only  meeting  marked  by  great  spiritual  power  and  evi- 
dent success,  that  he  held  in  the  capital  city.  We  have 
no  catalogue  of  his  meetings,  but  we  know  that  he  was 
used  of  God  for  reaching  and  gathering  in  great  multi- 
tudes of  people.  To  a  friend,  who  asked  how  many 
persons  he  had  baptized,  he  replied :  "I  do  not  know ; 
I  have  kept  no  record."  The  friend  then  wanted  to 
know  if  the  number  would  reach  a  thousand.  "Oh,  yes," 
he  answered,  "a  great  many  more;  there  were  five 
hundred  one  year." 

Rev.  Dr.  J.  C.  Hiden  tells  the  following  anecdote, 
having  heard  it  from  Mr.  Fife  himself:  "One  day  dur- 
ing 'intermission,'  a  man  approached  Brother  Fife  and 
said :  'Mr.  Fife,  I  wish  to  have  some  private  conversa- 
tion with  you.'  They  retired  to  a  private  place  in  the 
woods,  and  the  preacher  thought  that  an  inquirer,  inter- 
ested about  his  soul's  salvation,  was  about  to  ask  what 
he  must  do  to  be  saved,  when  the  man,  with  no  small 


JAMES  FIFE  233 

anxiety  depicted  in  his  countenance,  said:  'Mr.  Fife,  I 
want  you  to  tell  me  who  was  Melchizedek's  father.' 
What  Brother  Fife's  answer  was,  I  have  never  learned." 

Mr.  Fife,  like  many  of  the  Baptist  preachers  of  his 
day,  was  in  the  habit  of  making  long  preaching  tours 
from  county  to  county,  a  prime  object  being  to  secure 
subscribers  for  the  Religious  Herald.  He  preached,  not 
simply  on  Sunday,  but  every  day,  and  often  more  than 
once  a  day.  After  each  sermon,  as  well  as  from  home 
to  home,  he  made  appeals  for  the  Herald,  which  appeals, 
though  meeting  with  varying  degrees  of  success,  were 
rarely  ever  wholly  unsuccessful.  Such  Herald  jour- 
neys were  taken  through  the  counties  of  Matthews, 
Middlesex,  Essex,  Northumberland,  Lancaster,  and 
Richmond.  He  encountered  hardships  not  a  few,  and 
sometimes  dangers;  he  was  often  delayed  by  inclement 
weather  and  oftener  homesick,  but  all  these  trials  seem 
to  have  been  forgotten  if  a  goodly  number  of  subscrip- 
tions to  the  Herald  were  secured.  In  a  letter  to  his  wife 
he  records,  with  evident  satisfaction,  the  high  water 
mark  of  his  work  for  the  Herald:  "At  Ware's  had  a 
very  large  congregation  and  much  shouting.  Obtained 
eighteen  subscribers  to  the  Herald,  being  the  largest 
number  I  ever  obtained  in  one  day."  Is  it  any  wonder 
that  the  Herald,  is  grounded  deep  in  the  affections  of 
Virginia  Baptists  since  our  early  preachers  worked  so 
faithfully  to  put  it  into  every  home?  Is  not  the  existence 
of  a  State  paper  all  these  years,  which  could  command 
such  friendship,  one  reason  for  the  great  growth  of  the 
denomination  in  the  State? 

Though  blessed  with  a  fine  constitution,  Mr.  Fife  was 
a  lifetime  sufferer  from  dyspepsia.  The  trips  just 
described,  while  undertaken  for  religious  work,  proved 
a  help  physically,  the  open  air  and  horseback  exercise 
rebuking,  at  least  for  a  season,  his  depressing  disease. 
Yet  other  journeys  were  made,   when  health   was  the 


234         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

main  object  in  view.  More  than  once  he  visited  the 
Virginia  Springs,  traveHng  in  his  own  conveyance,  and 
accompanied,  now  by  some  member  of  his  family,  now 
by  a  friend.  He  would  go  from  one  watering  place  to 
another,  thus  obtaining  variety  of  scenery  and  diet,  and 
a  life  in  the  open  air,  this  last  no  doubt  being  of  more 
value  for  his  trouble  than  gallons  of  mineral  water. 
With  all  our  facilities  for  travel,  our  fathers,  as  they 
traversed  at  their  own  sweet  will,  in  carriage  and  stage- 
coach, mountains  and  rivers,  surely  had  many  an  adven- 
ture and  many  a  vista  of  beauty  that  we  in  our  "vesti- 
buled-limited"  miss.  Whenever  an  opportunity  ofifered, 
Mr.  Fife  would  preach,  whether  it  was  at  some  meeting- 
house or  at  the  springs. 

Mr.  Fife  did  not  escape  the  western  fever  which  half 
a  century  or  more  ago  took  so  many  people  from  Vir- 
ginia and  other  eastern  states.  He  made  several  trips 
to  Missouri,  one  on  horseback  with  his  father-in-law. 
Rev.  Mr.  Herndon;  and  with  a  view  to  moving  thither 
sent  out  his  books  and  negroes.  How  he  finally  re- 
mained in  Virginia,  after  having  forwarded  such  im- 
portant impedimenta,  we  are  not  told.  Instead  of  mov- 
ing to  Missouri,  in  1840,  he  settled  in  Charlottesville. 
After  boarding  for  a  season,  and  making  several  pur- 
chases of  property,  he  finally  secured  a  commodious 
home  on  the  suburbs  of  the  town,  where  he  spent  the 
remainder  of  his  days,  and  where  his  children  lived. 
He  continued  in  the  active  pastorate  up  to  a  short  time 
before  his  death.  During  his  residence  in  Charlottesville 
he  served,  first  and  last,  the  following  country  churches : 
Chestnut  Grove,  Pine  Grove,  Liberty,  Mountain  Plain, 
Fork  Union,  Hardware,  Louisa  Court-House,  Blue  Run, 
and  Zion,  located  in  several  counties,  and  in  a  circle 
whose  radius  was  perhaps  some  twenty  miles.  He  made 
it  a  rule  to  meet  his  appointments  regardless  of  the 
weather.     Once  in  his  latter  years,  when  the  time  came 


JAMES  FIFE  235 

for  him  to  start  to  one  of  his  churches,  some  six  or  eight 
miles  distant,  as  it  was  snowing,  his  wife  urged  him  not 
to  go.  He  paced  up  and  down  the  room  exclaiming: 
"Oh,  my  dear,  do  not  trv  to  persuade  me  not  to  do  my 
duty." 

Like  Solomon,  he  "loved  husbandry,"  a  taste  imbibed 
no  doubt  in  his  early  days.  Not  only  was  he  a  farmer, 
but  he  often  wrote  for  agricultural  papers.  As  he  was 
an  early  riser  and  a  great  walker,  we  are  not  surprised 
to  find  in  one  of  his  letters  an  account  of  a  four-mile 
walk  before  breakfast.  After  he  was  seventy-five  years 
old  he  was  in  the  habit  of  walking  into  town,  a  mile 
away,  three  times  a  day.  At  one  time,  in  connection 
with  a  protracted  meeting  that  was  in  progress  in  the 
Charlottesville  church,  sunrise  services  were  held ;  he 
greatly  enjoyed  attending  these  meetings,  since,  besides 
the  spiritual  help,  they  enabled  him  to  gratify  his  taste 
for  an  early  walk.  His  interest  not  only  in  the  Char- 
lottesville church,  but  in  the  work  of  the  denomination 
throughout  the  State,  was  always  deep.  He  was  one  of 
the  Presbytery  that  at  the  request  of  the  Charlottesville 
church,  examined  and  ordained,  on  June  9,  1860,  J.  L. 
Johnson,  C.  H.  Toy,  J.  B.  Taylor,  Jr.,  and  J.  Wm.  Jones. 
A  regular  attendant  upon  the  Albemarle  Association,  he 
was,  in  1845,  moderator  of  that  body. 

In  his  closing  years,  when  the  active  work  of  a  pastor 
was  no  longer  possible,  he  still  enjoyed  his  books,  read- 
ing himself,  and  having  his  wife  read  to  him.  While 
fond  of  history  and  travel  in  general,  any  book  on 
Palestine  gave  him  especial  delight,  and  Thomson's  "The 
Land  and  the  Book"  was  an  especial  favorite.  Next  to 
the  Bible  he  enjoyed  most  Jay's  "Morning  and  Evening 
Exercises."  A  sermon  read  to  him  by  his  wife,  during 
the  summer  of  1876,  the  last  summer  of  his  life,  on  the 
text:  "Who  is  he  that  condemneth?  It  is  Christ  that 
died,  yea,  rather  that  is  risen  again,"  gave  him  much 


236         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

pleasure.  He  had  it  read  to  him  a  second  time,  and 
afterwards  with  upraised  hands,  would  repeat  the  words : 
"Yea,  rather  that  is  risen  again."  "At  various  times," 
says  his  daughter,  "he  expressed  great  joy  in  the  views 
he  had  of  the  plan  9f  salvation,  often  rejoicing  in  Him 
whom  having  not  seen  we  love,  in  whom  though  now 
we  see  Him  not  we  rejoice  with  joy  unspeakable  and  full 
of  glory."  Up  to  within  two  or  three  days  of  his  death, 
he  rode  to  town,  as  his  custom  was  after  he  became  too 
feeble  to  walk.  He  fell  asleep  in  Jesus,  October  5,  1876, 
being  eighty-two  years  old.  He  was  buried  Saturday 
afternoon  at  his  home  "Oak  Lawn."  In  the  absence  of 
the  pastor,  Rev.  K.  B.  Tupper,  Dr.  N.  K.  Davis,  of  the 
University  of  Virginia,  conducted  the  simple  services. 
The  next  day  the  funeral  sermon  was  preached  at  the 
Charlottesville  church,  by  Dr.  J.  B.  Jeter,  from  the  text : 
"I  have  finished  my  course." 


WILLIAM  F.  BROADDUS* 

William  F.  Broaddus  was  born  near  the  village  of 
Woodville,  Culpeper  County,  Virginia,  April  30,  1801, 
his  father  being  Thomas  Broaddus,  of  Caroline.  His 
mother,  whose  maiden  name  was  Susannah  Ferguson, 
had  first  married  a  Mr.  White.  After  his  death  she  be- 
came the  wife  of  Mr.  Broaddus,  and  the  mother  of  his 
four  children.  She  was  reared  an  Episcopalian,  but 
under  the  preaching  of  Rev.  John  Leland  made  a  pro- 
fession of  religion,  and  was  baptized  into  the  fellowship 
of  the  "F.  T."  Church.  When  William,  the  second 
child,  was  about  ten  years  old  the  father  died,  and  he 
was  left  to  the  care  of  his  mother.  He  went  to  school 
first  to  one  and  then  to  another  of  his  half-brothers,  then 
to  his  own  brother  Edmund,  and,  finally,  after  a  session 
under  John  P.  Walden,  in  his  sixteenth  year,  he  became 
himself  a  schoolmaster  with  about  forty  scholars.  Dur- 
ing the  years  of  his  boyhood  and  youth  he  had  received 
careful  religious  training  from  his  mother,  and  with  her 
had  read  the  Bible  through  several  times.  This  teach- 
ing did  not  at  once,  at  least,  lead  to  the  boy's  conversion. 

The  first  school  which  young  Broaddus  taught  was  in 
session  from  the  first  Monday  in  January  until  December 
20th,  with  only  brief  holidays.  His  second  school  was 
at  Union  Forge,  Shenandoah  County.  While  still  a 
schoolmaster,  and  when  he  was  just  turned  eighteen,  he 
married  Miss  Mary  Ann  Farrar.  Such  amusements  as 
card-playing  and  dancing  had  large  place  in  his  heart, 
and  he  and  his  wife  often  played  backgammon.  At  this 
period  he  usually  heard  preaching  every  Sunday,  there 
being  services  held  in  the  neighborhood  by  the  Baptists, 

*Abridged  from  "Life  of  Wm.  F.  Broaddus,"  by  Geo.  Braxton 
Taylor. 

2Z7 


238         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

Episcopalians,  and  Lutherans.  Under  the  preaching  of 
Ambrose  C.  Booton,  at  Luray,  he  was  converted,  and 
was  baptized  in  the  Hawksbill  Creek  that  runs  through 
that  town.  After  he  had  taken  this  step  he  decided, 
upon  the  advice  of  Deacon  Daniel  Beaver,  to  give  up  his 
worldly  amusements,  his  violin  and  his  backgammon. 
This  decision  caused  his  wife  to  burst  into  tears,  but 
three  years  later  she  became  a  Christian.  A  week  after 
his  baptism  at  Bethel  Meeting  House,  on  the  New 
Market  road,  after  the  sermon  by  a  Mr.  Carter,  young 
Broaddus  asked  permission  to  say  a  few  words.  With 
Romans  10:1  as  a  text  he  spoke  for  some  fifteen  minutes. 
At  the  next  monthly  meeting  of  the  Luray  Church, 
Deacon  Beaver  gravely  stated  that  he  brought  against 
young  Brother  Broaddus  the  serious  charge  of  having 
preached  without  being  licensed,  immediately  adding 
that  he  moved  that  he  be  forthwith  licensed  so  that  the 
charge  could  be  withdrawn.  From  this  time  forward, 
almost  to  the  end  of  his  life,  Mr.  Broaddus  preached 
the  glorious  gospel. 

He  was  ordained  at  "F.  T."  Church,  in  1823,  and 
became  its  pastor,  succeeding  Father  Lewis  Connor  in 
this  office.  While  it  seems  probable  that  his  only  other 
church  at  this  time  was  Mount  Salem,  he  preached  go- 
ing to  and  coming  from  the  Associations  wherever  a  con- 
gregation could  be  gathered,  so  that  he  was  soon  known 
through  all  the  section  of  country.  This  work  was  a 
distinct  help  to  his  health  for,  being  small,  with  a 
tendency  to  consumption,  in  a  few  years  he  was  so  strong 
and  vigorous  that  his  former  friends  scarcely  knew  him. 
It  was  not  long  before  he  was  teaching  once  more,  as 
well  as  preaching.  From  this  school  three  young  men, 
Silas  Bruce,  R.  V.  and  Thaddeus  Herndon,  went  forth 
as  Baptist  preachers.  Before  long  he  had  become  pastor 
of  Bethel  (Frederick  County),  and  somewhat  later  of 
Long  Branch,  in  Fauquier,  the  former  of  these  churches 


WILLIAM  F.  BROADDUS  239 

involving  a  ride  of  thirty-five  miles  across  the  Blue 
Ridge  Mountains  and  the  Shenandoah  River.  Yet  he 
kept  up  his  school  and  rarely  missed  his  preaching  ap- 
pointments. In  1826,  he  attended  the  General  Associa- 
tion in  Fredericksburg,  preached  the  introductory  ser- 
mon, and  met  for  the  first  time  many  of  the  Baptist 
preachers  of  Tidewater  Virginia,  among  the  number 
J.  B.  Jeter  and  J.  B.  Taylor.  The  latter,  in  a  letter  dated 
June  14,  1826,  said:  "There  is  a  young  man  named 
Broaddus,  who  preached  this  morning,  who  excels  any 
I  ever  heard."  In  a  great  and  precious  revival  that 
blessed  many  of  the  churches  at  this  time  Mr.  Broaddus 
bore  an  active  part.  Great  crowds  attended,  many  were 
converted  and  baptized.  Preachers  from  the  city 
churches  came  to  help  in  the  work.  At  one  of  these 
services  Mr.  Broaddus  felt  called  upon  to  caution  the 
people  not  to  give  too  great  rein  to  their  emotions,  but 
when  among  those  asking  for  prayer,  there  came  his 
own  son,  about  whom  he  had  been  greatly  concerned,  his 
own  prudent  cautions  were  forgotten,  and  he  broke  forth 
into  louder  demonstrations  than  till  then  had  been  heard. 
The  anti-missionary  controversy  that  raged  so  fiercely 
for  some  years  in  Northern  Virginia  had  as  its  chief 
figure,  perhaps,  W.  F.  Broaddus.  After  the  blight  of 
hyper-Calvinism  had  been  broken  among  Baptists, 
through  the  missionary  zeal  awakened  by  the  appeal 
from  India,  of  Adoniram  Judson,  the  error  had  reas- 
serted its  power  in  this  section  of  Virginia.  War  was 
made  against  missionary  societies,  temperance  organiza- 
tions, Sunday  schools,  and  all  efforts  to  reach  with  the 
gospel  the  unconverted.  The  Ketocton  and  Columbia 
Associations  were  where  these  views  were  most  earnestly 
held  and  advocated.  The  activity  of  Mr.  Broaddus  in 
the  revival  referred  to  above  along  with  some  articles 
of  his  in  the  Christian  Index,  on  ministerial  support,  as 
well  as  his  known  views  on  missions,  made  him  especially 


240         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

obnoxious  to  the  "Black  Rock"  section.  At  a  meeting 
of  the  Ketocton  Association,  at  Ebenezer  Church,  in 
1832,  resolutions  were  introduced  refusing  a  seat  to  Mr. 
Broaddus,  who  had  come  as  a  messenger  from  the  Shiloh 
Association.  After  a  lengthy  discussion  the  resolutions 
were  defeated.  The  next  year,  however,  after  a  discus- 
sion lasting  two  days,  the  same  resolutions  were  carried, 
and  Mr.  Broaddus  was  refused  a  seat  in  the  body.  The 
next  week  at  the  Columbia  Association,  at  Rock  Hill,  a 
neighborhood  in  which  Mr.  Broaddus  was  not  well 
known,  he  was  again  refused  a  seat  by  formal  resolution. 
At  once  Mr.  Broaddus  arose  and  said  he  would  preach 
forthwith  on  the  adjoining  hill.  The  crowd  followed 
him,  seats  were  extemporized,  and  he  preached  a  melting 
sermon.  The  refusal  of  these  associations  to  receive 
Mr.  Broaddus  finally  resulted  in  the  organization  of  the 
Salem  Union  Association,  which  new  body  held  its  first 
session  at  Upperville,  November  9,  1833.  Perhaps  more 
than  any  one  else,  Mr.  Broaddus  broke  the  power  of  the 
anti-missionary  spirit  in  Northern  Virginia  among  the 
Baptists. 

Mr.  Broaddus  was  well  qualified  to  be  a  teacher  as 
well  as  a  preacher,  and  again  and  again  in  his  life  he 
gave  himself,  at  least  for  a  part  of  his  time,  to  this  very 
important  work.  From  1834  to  1839,  he  had  charge  of 
a  boarding-school  in  Middleburg.  While  scholars  of 
both  sexes  were  admitted,  the  school,  Rev.  W.  A. 
Whitescarver  assures  us,  was  not  co-educational.  Two 
large  rooms,  one  occupied  by  the  boys,  the  other  by  the 
girls,  opened  into  each  other.  Mr.  Broaddus  sat  between 
the  two  rooms,  and  heard  the  classes  first  from  one  room 
and  then  from  the  other.  This  school  was  well  attended, 
and  evidently  of  high  grade ;  it  was  in  session  almost 
all  the  year  save  a  brief  vacation  in  the  summer.  During 
his  life  at  Middleburg,  Mr.  Broaddus  had  a  controversy 
with  Rev.   Mr.    Sheer,  presiding  elder  of  the   Potomac 


WILLIAM  F.  BROADDUS  241 

District  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  After  a 
sermon  or  so  by  these  two  preachers  the  discussion  was 
carried  on  through  the  newspapers  and  pamphlets.  The 
debate  was  not  of  Mr.  Broaddus'  choosing,  for  he  was 
most  truly  a  man  of  peace ;  indeed,  this  was  so  very  true 
that  later  in  Hfe,  Rev.  Dr.  C.  C.  Bitting  suggested  that 
he  be  called  the  "Great  Worthy  Harmonizer."  Doubt- 
less, as  is  usually  the  case,  both  sides  claimed  the  victory. 
This  fact,  however,  should  be  set  down.  At  the  time  of 
the  discussion  Upperville,  where  the  sermons  were 
preached,  and  its  surrounding  country,  were  decidedly 
Methodist  territory.  To-day  in  this  same  section 
Baptists  predominate  in  numbers  and  influence.  Mr. 
Whitescarver  thinks  the  change  was  due  to  Mr.  Broad- 
dus and  his  sermons  and  waitings  at  the  time  of  the 
controversy. 

The  decade  from  1840  to  1850,  Mr.  Broaddus  spent 
in  Kentucky,  living  at  Lexington,  Shelbyville,  and  Ver- 
sailles. Here  again,  besides  his  work  as  pastor,  he  had 
a  school.  He  was  led  into  the  school  enterprise  at  this 
time  partly  from  financial  considerations.  It  seems  that 
while  at  Middleburg  he  had  been  led  into  mercantile 
business  as  a  silent  partner.  This  business  had  failed 
and  left  him  responsible  for  the  liabilities  of  the  concern. 
He  went  to  work  to  pay  the  debt,  and,  with  its  "Ken- 
tucky prices  and  Southern  patronage,"  his  Shelbyville 
school  soon  put  him  square  with  his  creditors.  While 
in  Kentucky,  the  wife  of  his  youth,  with  whom  he  had 
passed  some  thirty  years  of  blessed  married  life,  and 
who  had  borne  him  six  children,  died  on  September  8, 
1850.  In  this  connection  mention  might  be  made  of  his 
second  wife,  who  was  Mrs.  Susan  Burbridge,  to  whom 
he  was  married  July  29,  1851,  and  who  died  April  21, 
1852.  It  may  be  timely  to  mention  at  this  point  that  his 
third  wife  was  the  widow^  of  Dr.  Fleet,  her  maiden  name 
having  been  Miss  Semple. 


242         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

While  in  Kentucky,  Mr.  Broaddus  took  an  active  part 
in  the  controversy  then  raging  in  regard  to  the  views  of 
Alexander  Campbell,  that  were  doing  much  to  divide 
and  dismember  many  Baptist  churches.  Once  at  least 
during  this  period  he  revisited  the  scenes  of  his  earlier 
days  in  Virginia.  The  trip  from  the  "dark  and  bloody 
ground"  to  the  Old  Dominion  was  at  that  day  a  much 
more  serious  undertaking  than  it  is  to-day.  Concerning 
this  journey,  which  consumed  considerable  time,  he 
wrote  a  series  of  letters  to  the  Religious  Herald.  One 
letter,  during  this  period,  to  his  nephew,  John  A. 
Broadus,  urges  his  acceptance  of  the  chair  of  ancient 
languages  at  Georgetown  College,  to  which  position  he 
had  just  been  elected,  and  another  laments  his  declining 
the  place.  One  church  to  which  he  preached  in  Ken- 
tucky declared  that  they  could  not  promise  him  any 
definite  amount,  but  that  they  would  try  and  do  their 
best  for  him.  Mr.  Broaddus  accepted  this  announce- 
ment without  any  comment.  After  the  service,  as  he 
was  about  to  leave,  some  brother  said:  "We  will  see 
you  up  the  third  Sunday?"  (That  was  the  next  ap- 
pointment. )  Mr.  Broaddus  replied :  "I  do  not  know ; 
if  I  have  nothing  else  to  do,  and  if  it  suits  me,  I  suppose 
you  may  look  for  me,  but  I  could  not  promise  definitely." 
The  members  did  not  understand  what  he  meant,  so  he 
said :  "Since  you  can  not  promise  me  any  definite  salary 
I  thought  it  was  only  fair  that  I  should  not  promise  you 
any  definite  service."  The  church  saw  the  point  and 
voted  him  a  regular  salary.  It  is  evident  that  he  was  not 
overburdened  with  salary,  as  it  is  known  that  at  this 
time  four  churches  to  which  he  preached  paid  him  all 
told  $400  a  year.  The  burning  of  his  school  in  Shelby- 
ville  led  him  to  return  to  Virginia. 

More  than  once  Mr.  Broaddus  engaged  in  agency 
work,  for  which  he  had  especial  gifts.  He  now  advo- 
cated the  claims  of  Columbian  College  and  pressed  its 


WILLIAM  F.  BROADDUS  243 

endowment.  Dr.  Geo.  Boardman  Taylor  described  him, 
as  he  appeared  at  this  time,  as  follows :  "He  was  portly 
in  form,  but  of  a  corresponding  height,  with  a  large  but 
not  disproportionate  head,  altogether  a  figure  noble  and 
imposing.  His  manner  was  a  rare  combination  of  the 
cordial  and  dignified,  and  while  he  was  most  approach- 
able, no  one  could  treat  him  with  undue  freedom. 
He  was  extremely  social,  liking  specially  the 
company  of  a  few  kindred  spirits.  Himself  a  capital 
raconteur,  with  an  inexhaustible  store  of  good  things, 
he  was  none  the  less  a  sympathetic  listener.  Able  to  dis- 
cuss abstract  questions,  and,  with  clearly  cut  opinions 
on  many  subjects,  he  was  most  in  his  element  when  liv- 
ing issues  and  practical  themes  of  every-day  life  were 
considered.  Full  of  innocent  peculiarities  he  was  in 
nothing  an  extremist.  .  .  .  He  was  a  wise  coun- 
selor, his  sentiment  being  tempered  with  common  sense. 
On  one  occasion  he  was  appealed  to  by  a  pastor,  who  was 
distressed  and  indignant  at  the  ungenerous  conduct  of 
one  of  his  members.  You  are  right,  he  said ;  his  course 
is  not  to  be  admired,  but  do  not  make  an  issue,  for  after 
all  that  conduct  is  within  the  limits  of  naked  justice,  and 
you  can  not  get  average  men  to  stand  against  it.  The 
seeker  was  disappointed,  but  afterwards  found  the  advice 
excellent.  .  .  .  Dr.  Broaddus  was  a  charming 
preacher.  I  use  the  adjective  advisedly,  both  as  to 
matter  and  manner.  He  dwelt  chiefly  on  the  brighter 
side  of  religion,  seldom  hurling  the  thunders  of  the  law, 
but  seeking  rather  to  win  men  by  the  attractions  of  the 
cross.  .  .  .  His  manner  in  the  pulpit  was  deliberate, 
solemn,  persuasive.  He  never  lacked  for  a  word,  or  for 
the  right  one.  You  felt  that  he  was  perfect  master  of 
himself  and  of  the  situation.  Much  of  his  charm  as  a 
speaker  lay  in  his  voice,  which  was  musical,  powerful, 
of  a  wide  range,  and  under  perfect  control. 
But  if  persuasion  be  the  aim  and  end  of  oratory,  then 


244         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

he  was,  at  least  in  his  best  estate,  an  orator  of  good 
degree,  for  with  his  wonderful  combination  of  gifts,  and 
above  all  with  the  unction  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  he  was  a 
master  of  assemblies.  .  .  .  While  usually  content 
to  pursue  the  beaten  track  in  preaching,  he  was  full  of 
resources  for  special  needs.  Having  gone  to  Baltimore, 
when  the  cause  there  was  low,  to  hold  a  protracted  meet- 
ing, he  preached  the  first  night  to  a  very  slim  congrega- 
tion. At  the  close  of  the  service  he  said:  'People  in  the 
city  think  they  can  live  as  they  list  and  not  go  to  hell, 
but  I  will  show  to-morrow  night  that  city  sinners  go  to 
hell  as  well  as  country  folks.'  The  news  of  this  spread 
abroad  .  .  .  and  the  next  evening  the  old  Round 
Top  Church  was  filled  to  the  utmost  of  its  large  capacity. 
A  gracious  revival  and  ingathering  followed,  and  a  great 
impulse  was  given  to  the  cause  of  Christ.  Dr.  Broaddus' 
sermons  .  .  .  never  wearied  the  people,  and  were 
always  of  moderate  length.  .  .  .  He  closed  his  dis- 
courses promptly,  sometimes  almost  abruptly,  even  mak- 
ing a  point  of  this.  .  .  .  He  had  two  or  three 
physical  peculiarities  which  sometimes  occasioned  em- 
barrassment to  himself  and  others.  .  .  .  To  eat  a 
morsel  of  fowl  had  the  same  effect.     (Produced  nausea.) 

His  well-known  antipathy  to  cats  caused  him 
real  distress.  He  was  not  afraid  of  them,  as  some  people 
supposed,  but  the  touch  or  near  presence  of  a  cat  pro- 
duced sickness  in  the  sense  which  the  English  give  to  the 
word.  .  .  .  He  not  only  loved  a  good  joke,  but 
could  tell  it  with  the  utmost  seriousness,  and  keep  back 
the   point    so    as    to    produce    the    greatest    impression. 

One  quaint  word,  which  Dr.  Broaddus  had  re- 
ceived from  a  minister  of  the  fomier  generation,  I  have 
ever  kept  in  mind,  and  now  hand  it  on  for  the  benefit  of 
my  younger  brethren,  viz. :  If  you  leave  a  church  or  field 
be  sure  to  do  it  in  such  a  way  that,  in  case  you  ever  come 
back,  they  will  not  set  the  dogs  on  you.     .     .     .     He 


WILLIAM  F.  BROADDUS  245 

had  his  theories  on  most  subjects.  One  of  them  was  that 
bad  news  should  be  told  abruptly  and  without  preamble. 
He  thought,  too,  that  people  should  be  very  careful  about 
attempting  to  right  what  seemed  to  be  wrong,  unless  all 
the  circumstances  were  known.  .  .  .  He  once  ap- 
proached a  field  of  growing  wheat,  the  gate  to  which 
was  wide  open,  and  he  did  not  hesitate  to  shut  it ; 
.  .  .  hardly  had  he  done  so  when  he  saw  his  mistake. 
Some  cattle  had  entered,  which  the  owner  was  seeking 
to  drive  out,  but  when  they  found  the  door  closed  they 
turned  wildly  and  stampeded  away  in  every  direction, 
trampling  down  the  grain  in  a  way  to  greatly  damage  it. 
Then  the  owner  came  up,  furious  and  profane,  and  it 
was  all  that  Dr.  Broaddus  could  do  to  appease  him. 
.  .  .  Take  him  all  in  all,  when  shall  we  see  his  like 
again?  He  ranked  with  the  best  of  his  contemporaries." 
In  the  summer  of  1853,  he  became  pastor  of  the 
Fredericksburg  Church.  While  the  church  was  neither 
large  nor  wealthy,  it  had  had  able  pastors.  He  saw  at 
once  that  a  new  meeting-house  was  of  supreme  im- 
portance, and  the  handsome  edifice  which  he  erected  re- 
mains to  this  day  a  noble  monument  to  his  wisdom  and 
zeal.  His  predecessor  had  seen  a  number  of  his  members 
withdraw  to  join  the  Christian  Church.  This  had  so 
distressed  him  that  his  defense  of  his  own  views  and 
his  attacks  upon  the  rival  church  were  sharp  and  fre- 
quent. On  the  arrival  of  the  new  pastor  the  people  came 
in  crowds  to  hear  what  new  arguments  he  would  ad- 
vance against  the  Christian  denomination.  They  were 
disappointed.  He  carefully  avoided  such  discussions. 
Along  with  his  pastorate  he  conducted  a  school  for  girls. 
For  some  years  he  taught  it  in  the  basement  of  the 
church.  The  boarding  department  was  in  his  own  home. 
Under  his  administration  the  church  came  to  have  a 
standing  and  influence  in  the  community  it  had  never 
had  before.     During   these    Fredericksburg   years,    Dr. 


246         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

Broaddus  was  a  leader  in  the  Goshen  and  other  district 
associations  of  Virginia,  and  in  the  General  Association. 
Without  giving  up  his  pastorate,  in  1859,  he  took  an 
agency  for  the  Southern  Baptist  Theological  Seminary, 
and  continued  in  it  until  the  fall  of  1860. 

On  July  29,  1862,  Dr.  Broaddus  and  six  other  citizens 
of  Fredericksburg  were  arrested  by  Federal  officers,  and 
carried  to  Washington  and  held  as  prisoners  in  the  Old 
Capitol  Prison  of  that  city,  as  hostages  for  four  Union 
men  confined  as  traitors  by  the  Confederate  authorities. 
The  diary  which  he  kept  during  this  trying  time  is  ex- 
tant, and  is  most  interesting.  His  friends  in  Baltimore 
sent  him  food  and  other  things  that  in  no  small  measure 
relieved  the  severity  of  his  disagreeable  situation.  He 
saw  much  that  was  humorous  in  his  environment,  and 
did  much  to  comfort  and  cheer  his  fellow-prisoners.  It 
was  not  until  September  26th  that  he  was  once  again  in 
Fredericksburg,  a  free  man. 

By  the  shelling  of  Fredericksburg^  during  the  attack 
of  October  11,  1862,  the  house  of  Dr.  Broaddus  was 
rendered  uninhabitable,  and  in  the  days  that  followed 
much  of  his  furniture  was  stolen  or  damaged.  At  this 
juncture  there  came  a  call  from  the  Charlottesville 
church.  It  was  accepted,  and  Dr.  Broaddus  began  his 
work  there,  Sunday,  January  25,  1863.  Besides  his 
preaching  and  visiting  as  pastor  he  was  zealous  in  doing 
all  that  he  could  for  the  soldiers  in  the  hospitals  in  the 
town.  Not  only  on  Sunday,  but  on  week  days,  he 
preached  and  visited  in  the  various  wards.  These  were 
days  when  rumors  of  battles  were  new  nearly  every  day, 
and  when  the  anxiety  of  those  who  stayed  with  the  stuff 
was  almost  as  terrible  as  the  suffering  of  the  soldiers  on 
the  tented  field.  Dr.  Broaddus  boarded  for  a  while  at 
the  Albemarle  Female  Institute,  then  in  charge  of  Prof. 
John  Hart ;  later  he  had  his  own  home,  and  himself  had 
a    number    of    boarders.       During:    the    Charlottesville 


WILLIAM  F.  BROADDUS  247 

pastorate,  and  just  after  the  War,  a  conference  was  held 
between  a  number  of  leading  men  in  the  Baptist  and 
Disciple  denominations  to  see  if  there  was  any  possibility 
of  the  two  bodies  uniting.  Dr.  Broaddus  was  one  of  the 
moving  spirits  in  this  gathering,  but  unfortunately  no 
practical  results  were  reached. 

The  work  with  which  Dr.  Broaddus'  active  service 
closed  was  in  an  agency  to  raise  money  for  the  educa- 
tion of  the  orphans  of  Confederate  soldiers.  His  love 
for  children,  and  his  Hfelong  interest  in  education,  made 
this  work  doubly  congenial  to  him,  while  his  tact  and 
skill  in  raising  money  peculiarly  qualified  him  for  it. 
No  attempt  was  made  to  establish  schools,  but  simply  to 
provide  tuition,  for  as  many  orphans  as  possible,  in 
schools  already  in  existence.  This  of  course  was  before 
the  day  of  public  schools.  At  first  Dr.  Broaddus  carried 
on  this  work  in  connection  with  his  pastorate,  but  finally 
he  resigned  his  church,  and  gave  his  whole  time  to  the 
cause  of  the  orphans.  He  traveled  constantly,  visiting 
churches,  district  associations,  and  other  gatherings, 
pleading  for  gifts,  also,  as  he  went  along,  from  indi- 
viduals. He  was  to  a  high  degree  successful  in  this 
undertaking.  In  1865,  he  was  called  to  the  pastorate 
of  his  old  charge  in  Fredericksburg.  While  he  declined 
this  call,  a  little  later  he  made  Fredericksburg  once  more 
his  home,  still  carrying  on  his  agency  work.  His  last 
days  were  marked  by  heavy  and  sad  affliction.  Blind- 
ness came  upon  him,  which  even  the  best  medical  skill 
did  not  relieve,  and  before  the  end  his  mind  became  un- 
settled. From  these  great  distresses  he  was  delivered 
on  September  8,  1876,  when  he  passed  to  his  heavenly 
reward.  His  ashes  rest  beneath  the  sod  of  the 
Fredericksburg  cemetery.  In  1896,  the  Virginia  Baptist 
Historical  Society  gave  strong  evidence  of  the  denomi- 
nation's high  esteem  for  Dr.  Broaddus,  by  holding  a 
memorial  meeting,  at  which  there  were  papers  and 
addresses  setting  forth  his  life  and  character. 


THOMAS  W.  ROBERTS 

In  Nelson  County,  Virginia,  Thomas  W.  Roberts  was 
born  and  died.  In  this  county,  also,  a  large  part  of  his 
life  work  was  done.  He  first  saw  the  light  on  February 
22,  1817.  At  once  his  parents,  who  were  deeply  pious, 
dedicated  him  to  God.  When  he  was  still  a  small  child, 
his  mother  would  take  him  up  on  her  lap  and  pray  that 
God  would  make  him  a  Christian  minister.  This  made  a 
great  impression  on  him,  and,  in  after  years,  when  his 
mother's  prayers  had  been  answered,  he  would  tell 
parents  of  his  mother's  concern  and  method  in  this 
matter.  When  he  was  fifteen  years  old  he  was  baptized, 
by  Elder  Charles  Wingfield,  into  the  fellowship  of 
Mount  Shiloh  Church,  and  he  remained  a  member  here 
until  the  day  of  his  death.  Soon  he  felt  called  to  preach, 
and  turned  his  steps  towards  Richmond  College.  His 
course  there,  however,  was  broken  into  by  the  failure  of 
his  health,  and  he  became,  for  a  season,  at  any  rate,  a 
teacher.  There  are  men  still  living  who  remember  him 
as  "the  best  man,  the  best  teacher"  they  ever  knew. 
This  feebleness  of  health  was  more  than  once  a  clog  to 
his  service  and  usefulness.  In  1841,  he  was  ordained 
to  the  gospel  ministry,  though  the  records  are  not  uni- 
form as  to  the  ministers  who  formed  the  Presbytery, 
the  following  brethren  being  named  as  having  had  part 
in  this  service :  Elders  Charles  Wingfield,  Thos.  N. 
Johnson,  I.  S.  Tinsley,  and  S.  B.  Rice.  From  the  very 
first  much  of  Mr.  Roberts'  work  was  that  of  a  pioneer. 
For  years  he  was  the  missionary  of  the  State  Mission 
Board,  his  territory  being  the  counties  of  Nelson, 
Amherst,  Augusta,  and  Rockingham.  He  was  the  first 
person  who  ever  baptized  any  candidate,  that  is,  im- 
mersed them,  at  the  town  of  Waynesboro.  In  his  jour- 
nal he  thus  describes  this  interesting  occasion:    "A  large 

248 


THOMAS  W.  ROBERTS  249 

crowd  assembled  on  either  side  of  the  river  to  witness 
the  novel  sight,  but  there  was  no  disturbance ;  the  crowd 
behaved  wath  perfect  decorum,  but  there  was  no  sing- 
ing." At  Waynesboro  he  preached  in  a  hall ;  to-day  the 
Baptists  have  in  this  town  a  commodious  and  beautiful 
house  of  worship.  In  these  counties,  which  made  up 
his  field,  he  wielded  a  wide  influence,  and  did  much 
good.  In  the  course  of  years  he  was  instrumental  in 
the  establishment  of  these  churches :  Fairmount,  St. 
Stephens,  Mineral  Spring,  Walnut  Grove,  Laurel  Hill, 
and  Jonesborough.  In  1852,  reporting  his  work  through 
the  State  Board  to  the  General  Association,  he  said : 
"...  Aided  in  constituting  two  churches,  and  in 
ordaining  two  ministers.  Organized  two  Sunday 
schools  and  hope  to  establish  others  soon.  .  .  .  The 
meeting-house  in  the  southern  part  of  Nelson  . 
is  the  largest  and  most  neatly  finished  edifice  in  all  the 
surrounding  country.  It  is  deeded,  as  are  all  the  houses 
I  aid  in  building,  to  our  denomination."  This  year  he 
preached  126  sermons,  delivered  forty-eight  addresses, 
and  baptized  forty-seven  persons.  Dr.  C.  Tyree  said 
of  him  and  his  work :  '*No  minister  of  the  Albemarle 
Association  for  the  last  thirty  years  has  done  more  to 
spread  Christianity  than  this  good  man.  For  twenty 
years  he  was  the  leading,  the  most  laborious,  and  the 
most  useful  preacher  in  the  counties  of  Amherst,  Nelson, 
Albemarle,  and  Augusta.  .  .  .  He  was  the  pastor 
of  most  of  the  leading  churches  in  Amherst  and  Nelson, 
and  under  his  care  they  attained  to  a  measure  of  pros- 
perity that  had  never  been  vouchsafed  to  them  before 
or  since.  Mount  Moriah,  Ebenezer,  Adiel,  Mount 
Shiloh,  and  Walnut  Grove  w^ere  greatly  increased  in 
numbers  and  activity  by  his  pastoral  supervision,  and 
plain,  affectionate  preaching.  .  .  .  He  was  not 
only  a  good  evangelist  and  protracted-meeting  preacher, 
but  was  one  of  the  best  pastors  that  God  has  ever  given 


250         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

to  the  churches  of  that  region.  He  was  not  in  the  usual 
sense  of  the  word  a  great  preacher;  others  surpassed 
him  in  pulpit  ability,  but  none  in  usefulness.  .  .  . 
He  equalled  any  we  have  known  in  the  art  of  giving 
conversation  a  religious  turn,  and  in  approaching  the 
irreligious  in  behalf  of  his  Master.  .  .  .  While  he 
was  a  friend  and  great  favorite  of  the  poor,  he  w^as 
popular  and  useful  among  the  cultivated  and  wealthy. 
His  meekness,  modesty,  love  for  Christ  and 
souls  were  always  apparent.  .  .  .  He  possessed 
some  traits  of  effective  preaching.  In  style,  arrange- 
ment, and  strength  of  thought  he  was  not  remarkable. 
He  was  to  a  rare  extent  natural.  .  .  .  His 
preaching  was  an  animated  conversation,  to  his  hearers, 
about  the  things  of  Christ.  .  .  .  He  was  noted  for 
his  affectionateness  in  his  preaching.  .  .  .  These 
are  some  of  the  elements  of  character  that  made  this 
minister  one  of  the  mightiest  moral  and  religious 
powers  that  has  ever  lived  within  our  memory  in  this 
region  of  the  State." 

For  years  before  his  death  a  severe  bronchial  trouble 
made  it  necessary  for  him  to  give  up  preaching.  So  he 
established  at  his  home,  "Oakland,"  not  far  from  Rock- 
fish  Depot,  a  school  for  girls.  This  undertaking  was 
highly  successful.  Many  young  women,  who  could  not 
afford  to  go  to  the  larger  and  more  expensive  schools, 
received  here  a  good  education.  His  influence  upon  his 
students  was  most  helpful.  Shortly  before  this  school 
was  opened,  on  January  25,  1866,  he  was  married  to 
Miss  Annie  M.  Thomas,  of  Fluvanna  County.  For 
years  before  his  death  he  was  a  great  sufferer,  but  dur- 
ing almost  all  this  time  he  was  actively  engaged  in  work 
for  his  Master.  For  several  months  before  his  end 
came  his  health  grew  worse,  yet  he  was  calm  and  peace- 
ful in  the  prospect  of  death.  He  had  words  of  cheer, 
directions  for  his  burial,  testimony  as  to  his  hope  for 


THOMAS  W.  ROBERTS  251 

the  beyond,  as  first  one  and  then  another  held  converse 
with  him.  He  declared  that  for  the  solemn  hour  of 
death  he  had  made  his  preparation  when  he  was  a  boy. 
Charlie  Blain.  a  little  boy  who  had  lived  with  him  for 
three  years,  he  charged  to  meet  him  in  heaven.  On 
Sunday  morning,  September  17,  1876,  he  passed  to  his 
reward.  His  funeral  sermon,  according  to  his  request, 
was  preached  by  his  pastor.  Rev.  W.  A.  Tyree,  from 
the  words:  "For  I  reckon  that  the  sufferings  of  this 
present  time  are  not  worthy  to  be  compared  with  the 
glory  which  shall  be  revealed  to  usward." 


WILLIAM  S.  BLAND* 

When  Elisha  inquired  of  the  Shunammite  woman 
what  he  might  do  for  her  to  repay  her  kindness  to  him, 
her  answer  was:  "I  dwell  among  my  own  people."  In 
this  restless  age  it  is  interesting  to  read  the  story  of  a 
life  spent  in  one  place.  This  was  true  of  the  one  whom 
this  sketch  commemorates.  His  birth  and  pastoral  work 
and  death  were  all  in  the  same  general  section  of  the 
Old  Dominion.  He  was  born  in  King  and  Queen 
County,  on  June  20,  1820.  He  made  profession  of  his 
faith  in  Christ,  October  11,  1837,  and  was  baptized  by 
E.  S.  Amory,  and  became  a  member  of  the  Pocorone 
Baptist  Church.  Upon  his  ordination  to  the  ministry 
the  Presbytery  consisted  of  Elders  John  Spencer,  R.  S. 
Shebbs,  and  T.  B.  Evans.  In  1851,  he  graduated  at 
Richmond  College,  the  subject  of  his  graduating 
essay  being,  "The  Reformation,"  and  his  fellow- 
graduates  :  M.  B.  Howell,  Geo.  Wm.  Keesee,  Geo.  B. 
Taylor,  Wm.  D.  Thomas.  On  January  20,  1853,  he 
began  his  pastorate  of  Bethlehem  Church,  a  pastorate 
which  was  to  last,  with  the  exception  of  one  year,  until 
his  death.  Here  was  a  church  that  had  been  established 
in  1790,  that  had  been  known  first  as  Cox's  meeting- 
house, then  as  Spring  Creek,  and  that  finally  had  taken  the 
name  of  Bethlehem.  At  the  beginning  of  the  century, 
during  a  great  revival,  more  than  150  persons  were  added 
to  the  church.  During  seven  months,  in  1853,  the  pastor 
had  baptized  some  310  persons  into  its  fellowship. 
During  most  of  the  pastorate  of  Mr.  Bland,  the  church 
consisted  of  about  115  white  and  150  colored  members. 
Picture,   reader,   the   meetings   month   by   month.      For 


*Based    mainly    on    Moore's    "History    of     the    Middle    District 
Association." 

252 


WILLIAM  S.  BLAND  253 

short  periods,  Mr.  Bland  was  pastor  of  Bethel  (March 
12,  1859,  to  December  31,  1864),  Liberty  (1868),  Mt. 
Hermon  (1875),  Tomahawk  (1855-59),  all  of  these 
churches  being  in  the  Middle  District  Association.  In 
1854  and  1871,  he  preached  the  annual  sermon  of  this 
association,  and  for  four  years  (1872-75)  was  its 
moderator.  "His  sermons  were  always  delivered  with 
much  calmness  and  deliberation.  But  he  never  failed  to 
command  the  respect  and  attention  of  those  whom  he 
addressed.  He  was  a  model  of  piety  and  ministerial 
propriety."  His  life  was  as  powerful  as  his  pulpit  work. 
"A  short  time  before  he  breathed  his  last  he  remarked 
with  distinctness  and  emphasis :  'My  advice  to  you  all 
is  to  be  good  Christians.  Always  be  true  to  Christ.'  " 
His  death  took  place  November  11,  1876. 


HOWARD  W.  MONTAGUE* 

Not  unfrequently  in  the  story  of  Virginia  Baptist 
preachers,  the  son  of  a  preacher  becomes  a  preacher. 
So  it  was  with  Howard  W.  Montague,  who  was  the 
eldest  son  of  Rev.  Phihp  Montague,  one  of  Virginia's 
most  consecrated  ministers.  This  son  was  born  in 
Middlesex  County,  Virginia,  October  10,  1810.  Subse- 
quently his  father  removed  to  Essex  County,  and  here 
the  son  spent  the  rest  of  his  days.  After  he  became  a 
minister,  year  after  year  in  the  Minutes  of  the  General 
Association  his  address  appears  as  "Millers,  Essex 
County."  He  was  baptized  by  his  father,  and  his  father 
was  a  member  of  the  presbytery  which  ordained  him 
to  the  gospel  ministry.  The  former  event,- by  which  he 
became  a  member  of  the  Mount  Zion  Church,  Essex 
County,  took  place  the  second  Sunday  in  November, 
1837,  and  the  latter  in  1840,  when,  along  with  his  father, 
Elders  A.  Broaddus  and  William  Southwood  laid  hands 
on  his  head.  Some  two  years  before  his  ordination  he 
had  been  married,  on  October  23,  1838,  to  Miss  Mildred 
C.  Broaddus,  a  daughter  of  Rev.  Andrew  Broaddus. 
During  his  life  he  was  a  minister,  at  different  times,  of 
Mount  Zion  (his  mother  church),  Ephesus,  Piscataway, 
Howerton's,  and  Upper  Essex,  in  Essex  County ;  Bethel, 
in  Caroline  County,  and  Shiloh  and  Round  Hill,  King 
George  County.  He  had  appointments  at  yet  other 
churches,  and  was  an  earnest  worker  in  many  protracted 
meetings  in  his  own  and  neighboring  churches.  He  was 
gifted  with  a  vigorous  intellect,  was  an  original  thinker, 
and  "often  his  strong  and  startling  thoughts  were 
poured  out  in  a  torrent  of  natural  eloquence."  He  died 
at  his  residence,  June  9,  1876,  calmly  and  peacefully, 
"having  been  an  honored  and  useful  minister  of  the 
gospel  for  a  period  of  thirty-six  years.'' 

*Based  on  obituary  in  Minutes  of  the  General  Association,  1878- 

254 


MORDECAI  HAGOOD* 

Mordecai  Hagood  was  born  in  Halifax  County,  Vir- 
ginia, on  Christmas  Day,  1806.  He  was  baptized  into 
the  fellowship  of  the  Strait  Stone  Church,  Pittsylvania 
County,  in  1842,  and  was  licensed  to  preach  by  the  same 
church.  He  was  ordained  to  preach  in  the  Mount 
Pleasant  Church,  Pittsylvania  County.  During  his 
ministry  he  served  the  following  churches :  Ellis  Creek 
and  County  Line,  Halifax  County;  Pleasant  Grove 
and  Shiloh,  Campbell  County;  Buffalo,  Red  Creek, 
Gum  Spring,  Mount  Pleasant,  Sommerset,  Liberty,  and 
Green  Pond,  Pittsylvania  County.  He  died  suddenly 
of  disease  of  the  heart  on  March  13.  1876,  in  Pittsyl- 
vania County. 


*From  Minutes  of  the  General  Association  of  Virginia,   1877. 


255 


WILLIAM  HANKINS 

William  Hankins  was  born  in  Charlotte  County, 
Virginia,  November  29,  1807.  At  that  time  neither  of 
his  parents  were  professors  of  religion.  At  the  age  of 
thirteen  he  became  interested  upon  the  subject  of 
religion,  and  was  a  frequent  attendant  upon  the  services 
of  the  sanctuary  and  the  inquir}'  meetings ;  the  light 
broke  in  by  degrees,  and,  amid  conflicting  hopes  and 
fears,  he  turned  his  feet  unto  God's  testimonies.  While 
he  rejoiced  in  the  conversion  of  members  of  his  father's 
family  and  other  friends,  he  was  deeply  grieved  to  see 
them  ignore  and  neglect  the  ordinance  of  baptism,  to  his 
mind,  so  clearly  taught  and  enjoined  in  the  Scriptures. 
He  for  a  time  thought  of  joining  the  Presbyterians,  at 
Briery,  but  this,  in  the  light  of  God's  word,  he  could  not 
conscientiously  do.  For  three  years  he  continued  read- 
ing and  praying,  having  a  strong  desire  to  do  his 
Master's  will  and  to  be  obedient  to  His  commands,  and 
at  the  same  time  a  natural  inclination  to  be  associated 
in  church  fellowship  with  his  father,  mother  and  brother, 
but  remembering  that  the  Master  had  said,  "Whosoever 
loveth  father  or  mother  more  than  me,  is  not  worthy  of 
me,"  he  dared  not  subordinate  his  allegiance  to  Christ  to 
his  natural  love  for  his  kindred. 

On  Saturday,  October  1,  1831,  he  presented  himself  to, 
and  was  received  by,  the  Ash  Camp  (now  Keysville) 
Baptist  Church,  in  Charlotte  County,  as  a  candidate  for 
baptism,  and  on  the  30th  of  the  same  month  received  the 
ordinance  at  the  hands  of  Elder  A.  W-  Clopton.  At  this 
time  he  was  engaged  in  teaching  school,  devoting  his 
leisure  moments  to  meditations  and  prayer,  and  the  dili- 
gent study  of  God's  word.  Having  an  ardent  desire  for 
the  salvation  of  souls,  he,  in  April,  1832,  opened  a  Sun- 

256 


WILLIAM  HANKINS  257 

day  school  in  the  home  of  his  brother,  where  for  the  first 
time  he  led  in  public  prayer.  In  the  following  year  sev- 
eral members  of  the  school  were  converted.  On 
February  9,  1833,  he  left  home  to  engage  in  teaching, 
and  on  September  1st,  following,  he  delivered  his  first 
public  exhortation.  From  time  to  time  he  bought  such 
useful  books  as  came  in  his  way,  including  Scott's  Com- 
mentary and  Buck's  Theological  Dictionar}^  and  seemed 
on  all  opportunities  to  do  good ;  his  labors  in  the  Sunday 
school,  prayer-meeting,  and  social  circle  being  abundant. 
It  is  not  known  precisely  when  he  was  formally  "licensed 
to  preach,"  but  at  Ash  Camp,  in  the  absence  of  the 
pastor,  he,  on  Sunday,  October  5,  1834,  "for  the  first 
time  took  a  text  and  attempted  to  preach  a  sermon" ; 
and  on  Tuesday,  December  23d  of  that  year,  was  mar- 
ried to  Miss  Mildred  J.  Lipscomb. 

On  February  3,  1849,  he  started  to  Franklin  County, 
and  on  Sunday,  the  11th  of  that  month,  followed  the 
pastor,  Elder  Arnold  Walker,  in  a  sermon,  at  Town 
Creek  Meeting  House ;  and  on  September  29th  of  that 
year  began  building  his  house,  in  Franklin  County,  near 
Providence  Church,  of  which  body  he  and  his  wife  sub- 
sequently became  faithful  members.  This  home  which 
he  built  was  his  place  of  abode  till  the  day  on  which  he 
went  up  to  take  his  place  in  the  "many-mansioned 
house." 

At  the  call  of  Providence  Church  he  was,  on  Septem- 
ber 14,  1853,  by  a  Presbytery  composed  of  Elders 
William  Harris,  T.  C.  Goggin,  and  Pleasant  Brown, 
ordained  to  the  work  of  the  ministry,  from  which  time, 
like  they  who  were  scattered  abroad  on  account  of  per- 
secution after  the  death  of  Stephen,  he  went  everywhere 
"preaching  the  word,"  and  eternity  alone  will  reveal  the 
blessed  fruits  of  his  self-denying  labors.  In  the  organi- 
zation of  the  Blue  Ridge  Association,  at  Mayo,  in  1858, 
he  was  chosen  clerk,   which  position  he   filled   for  the 


258         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

greater  part  of  the  remainder  of  his  Hfe,  the  last  meeting 
of  that  body  he  attended  being  at  Meadows  of  Dan,  in 
August,  1876.  When  the  brethren  met  at  Providence, 
the  following  August,  they  were  called  upon  to  chronicle 
his  death,  and  to  look  upon  his  newly  made  grave. 
Elders  R.  D.  Haymore  and  J.  Lee  Taylor  were  appointed 
to  prepare  a  suitable  memorial  paper  for  publication  in 
the  minutes  of  the  body.  Subsequently  the  church  set 
on  foot  a  move  to  enclose  and  suitably  mark  his  grave. 
The  Association  took  the  matter  up,  and  carried  forward 
the  work  to  a  successful  completion. 

/.  Lee  Taylor. 


HERNDON  FRAZER 

"The  Frazers  are  of  Norman  descent,  the  family 
reaching  America,  however,  through  Scotland.  Tracing 
back  to  the  tenth  century  there  is  naturally  some  uncer- 
tainty as  to  its  origin  and  name.  According  to  early 
Scotch  chronicles  'the  surname  Eraser  was  amongst  the 
earliest  of  those  we  had  from  Normandy  .  .  .  their 
armorial  bearing  being  a  field  azure  seme  with  straw- 
berries, called  in  French  f raises.  .  .  .  Experiencing 
different  modifications  the  name  of  old  was  indiscrimi- 
nately Fraizean  and  Frisel,  and  in  some  ancient  records 
we  find  the  clan  styled  Fresal  or  Eraser.'  "  William 
Erazer  came  to  America  early  in  the  eighteenth  century, 
and  settled  in  the  vicinity  of  Norfolk.  After  some  years, 
in  order  that  he  might  give  his  sons  the  benefit  of 
William  and  Mary  College,  he  moved  to  Spottsylvania 
County.  Here,  on  April  20,  1792,  his  great-grandson, 
Herndon  Erazer,  was  born,  his  parents  being  Anthony 
Erazer,  an  officer  in  the  Revolutionary  War,  and 
Hannah  Herndon.  Herndon  was  one  of  ten  children, 
and  so  had  that  environment  that  discourages  the  growth 
of  selfishness,  and  prepares  for  worthy  social  living.  He 
had  his  academic  training  in  such  schools  as  were  at  that 
day  accessible  to  the  sons  of  the  well-to-do,  and  then  went 
to  Washington  College,  now  Washington  and  Lee  Uni- 
versity. After  leaving  college  he  devoted  some  years  to 
teaching.  He  loved  books  and  study,  and  giving  him- 
self much  to  English  literature,  especially  the  poets,  he 
came  to  be  a  man  of  more  than  ordinary  culture,  his 
speech,  whether  private  or  public,  being  ever  enriched 
by  recourse  to  the  treasures  of  classic  lore. 

He  became  a  Christian  in  early  life,  but  it  was  not 
until  1841  that  he  was  ordained  to  the  gospel  ministry, 
although  before  this  he  had  preached  no   little.      Con- 

259 


260         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

cerning  his  ordination,  which  took  place  at  Mount  Her- 
mon  Church,  August  14th,  he  wrote  in  his  diary:  "On 
this  day  I  (a  poor  sinner)  was  ordained  to  the  arduous, 
solemn,  and  responsible  work  of  the  gospel  ministry,  by 
a  Presbytery  consisting  of  our  pastor,  James  L.  Powell, 
and  Elders  John  C.  Gordon,  and  Jacob  W.  Herndon,  in- 
vited by  the  church  to  aid  in  this  business.  Lord,  help 
me  to  fulfil  the  expectations  of  my  friends,  for  without 
Thee  I  can  do  nothing  good,  since  in  me,  that  is  in  my 
flesh,  there  dwelleth  no  good  thing.  Lord,  hear  my 
prayer  and  grant  that  I  may  never  be  guilty  of  conduct 
incompatible  with  the  office  to  which  I  have  been  called 
by  Thy  permissive  Providence.  May  it  have  been  with 
Thy  approbation,  and  may  the  few  days  that  I  have  to 
spend  on  earth  be  employed  in  efforts  to  promote  Thy 
glory!  Amen  and  Amen."  Mr.  Frazer's  career  as  a 
preacher  is  intimately  connected  with  the  history  of  the 
Goshen  Association,  in  what  might  be  called  the  golden 
age  of  this  body.  For  a  number  of  years  this  Associa- 
tion maintained  a  separate  and  independent  missionary 
life,  appointing  many  of  its  own  missionaries,  and  rais- 
ing some  five  or  six  thousand  dollars  a  year,  a  remark- 
ably large  sum  of  money  for  that  day.  For  a  number  of 
years  Mr.  Frazer  was  the  clerk  of  the  body  and  an  im- 
portant factor  in  its  life.  The  churches  he  served  for 
longer  or  shorter  periods  were :  Mount  Hermon,  Zion, 
Antioch,  Lower  Gold  Mine,  Mount  Pisgah,  Trinity, 
Mechanicsville,  and  Elk  Creek.  Rev.  Dr.  J.  L.  Johnson 
tells,  as  follows,  how  Mr.  Frazer  was  one  party  in  a 
unique  arrangement  as  to  the  pastorate  of  Mount  Her- 
mon Church:  "He  [Rev.  Mr.  Frazer]  and  Elder  James 
L.  Powell  .  .  .  had  what  may  be  called  a  partner- 
ship tenure  of  the  pastorate ;  that  is  to  say,  with  perfect 
understanding  of  the  church,  one  of  them  would  be 
called  as  pastor,  accept  the  call,  and  serve  the  church  for 
a  number  of  years  and  then  resign.     I  think  I  can  recall 


HERNDON  FRAZER  261 

a  number  of    successions  of    this  kind.      There  was  no 
friction;    the  two  preachers  were  neighbors,  were  inti- 
mate friends,  and    utterly  unlike.      They  attended  each 
other's  services  and  seemed  to  enjoy  them.     I  sometimes 
think  they  engineered  the  whole  thing  with   a  perfect 
understanding  between  them."     The  further  description 
which  Dr.  Johnson  gives  of  Mr.  Frazer  helps  us  to  see 
him:     "Mr.    Frazer   was    a    man    of    uncommonly    fine 
physique  and  would  arrest  the  eye  of  a  stranger  in  any 
gathering.     His  dress  was  always  carefully  considered, 
and  his  carriage  would  suggest  that  he  had  been  a  student 
of  military  movements.     Corresponding  with  these  were 
his  simplest  utterances,  every  sentence  seeming  to  have 
been   fashioned  and  laid  aside  beforehand,  ready  to  be 
called  up  on  occasion.     And  yet  nothing  seemed  artificial 
or  stilted,  but  quite  as  natural  as  if  he  had  grown  up 
that  way,  as  I  think  he  did.     Everybody  held  him  in 
highest  esteem,  and  I  never  heard   from  any  person  a 
discrediting  utterance  about  him.     While  he  was  serving 
a  term  as  pastor  once,  he  had  an  eruption  on  his  upper 
lip  and  could  not  use  his  razor.     As  soon  as  the  activity 
of  the  latter  ceased,  a  moustache  that  lay  in  hiding  made 
its  appearance,  and  went  into  the  pulpit  too.     That  was 
an  outrage  upon  public  opinion  in  those  days :    'Baptists 
never  persecute,  but  a  Baptist  preacher  must  not  wear  a 
rnoustache.'      Nobody    stopped    to    consider   the    incon- 
sistency of  the  two  propositions,  and  a  good-sized  stir 
was  imminent,  especially  among  the  ladies.     When  the 
preacher  took  in  the  situation  he  informed  the  people 
that  the  presence  of  the  offending  member  was  no  more 
according  to  his  will  than  theirs,  indeed  was  over  his 
protest,   and  it  would  be   removed  as  soon  as  circum- 
stances would  permit.     Then  all  was  peace ;   and  sympa- 
thetic smiles  and  regrets  took  the  place  of  frowns. 

"Mr.  Frazer's  style  in  speaking  was  that  of  the  teacher 
rather  than  that  of  the  preacher — didactic,  expository. 


262         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

The  pulpit  in  those  days  was  much  given  to  spirituahz- 
ing,  but  he  would  have  none  of  it.  His  utterances  were 
measured ;  his  thoughts  suggested  mainly  by  the  text, 
and  following  one  another  in  logical  order.  He  was  in 
no  sense  a  'protracted-meeting  preacher,'  but  his  life  was 
like  a  light  that  shone  steadily  and  always.  One  of  his 
sermons  was  to  me  probably  the  best  and  the  most  profit- 
able I  ever  heard.  Near  his  house  and  on  the  road  that 
led  from  it  to  the  church  and  post-office,  a  school  was 
taught  by  his  neighbor,  Mr.  Reuben  Coleman,  one  of  the 
most  godly  men  I  ever  knew.  Mr.  Frazer  often  passed 
the  school-house,  and  usually  on  horseback.  I  attended 
this  school  one  year,  although  it  was  hard  upon  five  miles 
from  my  father's,  and  one  day  Mr.  Frazer  came  along 
during  recess,  and  found  a  crowd  of  us  boys  perched 
upon  the  rail  fence  that  skirted  the  road.  Whether  or 
not  he  meant  to  give  us  a  sermon  I  do  not  know,  but  he 
stopped,  and,  with  his  horse  and  saddle  for  a  pulpit,  be- 
gan to  talk  to  us.  I  might  say  his  text  was  the  question : 
'What  three  things  does  a  young  man  most  need  in  this 
life?'  and  his  words  took,  in  my  mind,  the  orthodox 
form  of  a  sermon,  with  three  divisions,  viz. :  1.  Religion. 
2.  Health.  3.  Education.  It  seemed  to  me  that  he  had 
his  answer  partly  wrong,  and  that  Religion  and  Edu- 
cation ought  to  change  places  in  the  schedule  of  life. 
However,  the  sermon  lingered  with  me,  and  the  more  I 
pondered  over  it  the  more  I  inclined  to  accept  it.  I  am 
sure  it  had  something  to  do  with  my  future." 

The  following  incidents  from  the  pen  of  Mr.  John 
Hart,  Sr.,  illustrate  the  character  of  Mr.  Frazer,  to 
whom  they  refer,  and  give  one  a  peep  into  the  life  of  the 
Goshen  Association  in  those  days :  "Rather  easily 
flurried  and  thrown  off  his  balance,  he  was  not  always 
proof  against  the  interruptions  incident  to  a  country  con- 
gregation. In  a  sermon  at  LoM^er  Gold  Mine  he  men- 
tioned some  very  degrading  sins,  and  added  apologetic- 


HERNDON  FRAZER  263 

ally  that  he  could  not  suppose  any  of  that  audience  guilty 
of  those  sins.  A  half-drunken  wag  stood  up  and  said: 
'Right  you  are  about  that,  Mr.  Frazer.  I  don't  think 
any  of  these  people  do  such  things.'  The  sermon  did  not 
go  on.  On  another  occasion,  while  the  Goshen  was  on 
the  high  tide  of  prosperity,  Mr.  Frazer  was  taking  a 
collection  for  the  Board.  A  pompous  rich  man,  not  a 
member,  rose  and  walked  to  the  clerk's  desk,  floating 
between  forefinger  and  thumb  a  twenty-dollar  note. 
The  preacher's  eyes  glistened  through  his  glasses  with 
pleased  expectation.  The  gentleman  waved  the  note 
down  on  the  table  and  bade  the  clerk  'change  that  and 
take  out  a  quarter.'  The  exquisite  politeness  of  Herndon 
Frazer  did  not  repress  a  very  audible  'sigh'  of  disap- 
pointment." 

Mr.  Frazer  was  married  twice.  His  first  wife,  who 
was  Huldah  Herndon,  daughter  of  Joseph  Herndon,  and 
who  left  no  children,  died  in  April,  1845.  About  four 
years  after  this  he  married  Martha  L.  Rawlings,  whose 
two  children  were  Herndon,  familiarly  called  Don,  and 
Huldah.  Don,  who  gave  promise  of  a  life  of  distinction, 
just  upon  the  threshold  of  young  manhood,  fell  a  victim 
to  typhoid  fever.  This  severe  blow,  along  with  that  of 
the  Civil  War,  proved  to  be  more  than  the  venerable  man 
of  God  could  bear.  In  earlier  days  his  home  had  been 
that  of  "the  country  gentleman  with  the  air  of  ampli- 
tude and  refinement,  and  bespeaking  always  a  hospitality 
that  made  everything  the  property  of  its  guests."  After 
the  War  he  was  left  with  but  scant  comforts.  On  July 
20,  1877,  when  he  lacked  but  one  month  of  having 
reached  the  good  old  age  of  eighty-five,  he  passed  to  his 
eternal    reward,  full  of    years,  of    faith,  and  of    hope. 

This  sketch  gives  facts  and  in  some  cases  language 
taken  from  papers  prepared  by  Rev.  W.  J.  Decker,  Dr. 
Robert  Frazer,  and  Rev.  Dr.  J.  L.  Johnson. 


PUTNAM  OWENS 

Putnam  Owens,  who  was  born  in  King  and  Queen 
County,  February  14,  1813,  was  one  of  three  brothers, 
who  were  Baptist  preachers.  His  brothers  wxre  Rev. 
R.  R.  Owens  and  Rev.  Warren  Owens.  He  w^as 
Hcensed  to  preach,  by  the  First  Church.  Petersburg, 
July  12.  1834.  He  was  educated  at  Richmond  College, 
and  on  November  19,  1838,  his  ordination  to  the 
ministry  took  place,  the  Presbytery  consisting  of  Rev. 
Smith  Sherwood,  Rev.  Thomas  Hume,  Sr.,  and  Rev. 
J.  S.  Baker,  at  Smithfield,  Isle  of  Wight  County,  Vir- 
ginia. In  1839,  he  became  pastor  of  the  Suffolk  Church, 
and  also  of  the  Smithfield  and  Shoulders  Hill  churches. 
The  churches  which  he  served  longest  w-ere  Black 
Creek,  Southampton  County ;  Western  Branch,  Nanse- 
mond  County ;  Beaver  Dam,  Isle  of  Wight  County,  and 
South  Quay,  Nansemond  County.  He  was  pastor  of 
Black  Creek  thirty-six  years,  and  of  the  other  three  not 
quite  so  long.  In  1878,  the  year  after  his  death,  these 
four  churches  aggregated  926  members,  with  a  Sunday- 
school  enrollment  of  513.  The  records  show  that  at 
Western  Branch,  in  1855,  he  baptized  twenty-four,  and 
the  same  year,  at  Beaver  Dam,  thirty-eight.  During  his 
whole  ministry  he  baptized  more  than  1,522  persons. 
He  was  a  prominent  and  influential  member  of  the  Ports- 
mouth Association,  and  he  often  attended  the  General 
Association,  but  his  modesty  prevented  his  worth  from 
being  widely  known  beyond  the  bounds  of  his  own  field, 
Of  irreproachable  and  lovely  character,  firm  in  his  ad- 
herence to  the  truth,  scriptural  in  his  preaching,  he 
increased  in  power  and  usefulness  to  the  end  of  his  life. 
His  death  took  place  at  the  home  of  Dr.  Kelso,  after  an 
illness  of  ten  days,  May  10,  1877. 

264 


JOSEPH  HERNDON  GORDON 

Joseph  Herndon  Gordon,  son  of  Elder  John  Churchill 
Gordon,  was  born  March  15,  1810.  It  is  quite  the 
custom  in  Virginia  for  a  son  to  have  his  mother's  maiden 
name,  and  so  it  was  with  Mr.  Gordon,  his  mother  being 
a  Miss  Herndon.  He  became  a  preacher  because  the 
message  of  salvation  was  as  a  fire  in  his  bones,  and  he 
could  not  but  sound  it  forth.  Although  there  were  in 
his  pathway  obstacles  that  would  have  caused  many  a 
man  to  follow  some  other  calling,  or  none  at  all,  it  was 
not  so  with  him.  He  was  a  dwarf,  being  some  four 
feet  in  height,  with  a  head,  hands,  and  feet  large  enough 
for  a  man  of  normal  height.  "This  terrible  deformity 
to  one  so  well  educated,  so  refined,  so  wealthy,  in  most 
cases  would  have  caused  a  hiding  away  from  the  gaze 
of  strangers,  but  it  was  not  so  with  him.  He  had  felt 
the  blessed  power  of  the  gospel,  and  longed  to  bring 
every  one  around  him  to  experience  the  same  blessed- 
ness." He  was  pastor  first  and  last  of  Flat  Run,  Zion, 
Mount  Pisgah,  and  Mount  Pony  (now  Culpeper  Court- 
house) churches,  at  least  two  of  these  being  fields  where 
his  father  before  him  had  been  the  undershepherd.  It 
was  largely  through  his  influence  that  Lael  (Shiloh 
Association)  was  organized.  Week  after  week  he  went 
to  his  appointments,  preaching  as  best  he  could.  His 
traveling  was  done  on  horseback,  and  at  Flat  Run  the 
brethren  put  up  a  special  horse  block  that  he  might  more 
easily  mount  and  dismount.  A  stout  plank  was  fitted 
between  two  oak  trees,  with  steps  leading  up  from  the 
ground.  The  steps  have  long  since  fallen,  but  the  plank 
may  still  be  seen  held  firmly  in  place  by  sixty  or  seventy 
yearly  rings  with  which  the  strong  oak  trees  have  en- 
closed it,  as  though  they  are  not  willing  for  the  work 
and  spirit  of  such  a  man  soon  to  be  forgotten.     In  the 

265 


266         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

box  pulpit  at  this  church  there  was  a  bench  on  which 
he  must  needs  stand  in  order  to  be  seen  by  the  congre- 
gation. After  preaching  for  some  years  under  these 
difficulties  at  Flat  Run,  he  resigned,  and  was  succeeded 
by  Elder  James  Powell.  This  was  the  time  when  the 
churches  of  the  Goshen  Association  were  much  stirred 
up  by  the  "Test."  This  episode  is  fully  described  in 
another  part  of  this  volume.  Notwithstanding  his 
physical  infirmity,  which  might  have  made  him  morose, 
he  was  "a  model  of  cheerfulness,  with  the  kindest  feel- 
ing for  all  around  him."  He  was  a  lover  of  children 
and  was  loved  by  them.  He  kept  in  his  parlor  for  years 
two  little  rocking  chairs  for  the  especial  benefit  of  the 
little  folks  that  came  to  see  him,  and  it  would  have  been 
hard  to  decide  whether  these  chairs  gave  the  children  or 
him  more  pleasure.  For  some  ten  years  Mr.  Gordon 
had  another  physical  infirmity  that  was  a  sore  affliction. 
He  was  blind.  Yet  he  was  industrious,  always  intent 
on  some  kindness  for  his  neighbors,  cheerful,  and  com- 
panionable. What  a  rebuke  his  sweet  content  and  zeal 
and  sunshine  are  to  those  who,  with  so  much  to  make 
them  happy,  that  he  did  not  have,  are  yet  peevish,  dis- 
satisfied, and  always  complaining!  His  wife,  who,  be- 
fore her  marriage,  was  Miss  Lucy  J.  Holbut,  during  the 
years  of  his  blindness,  "released  from  the  duty  of  house- 
keeping, devoted  herself  to  waiting  on  and  reading  to 
him."     He  died  October  17,  1877. 


JAMES  GREGORY* 

James  Gregory  was  born  in  Chesterfield  County,  Vir- 
ginia, December  28,  1809.  His  first  marriage  took  place 
on  May  19,  1831.  In  August  of  the  same  year  he  was 
baptized  by  Jordan  Martin.  He  was  licensed  to  preach, 
July  12,  1834,  and  the  following  October  was  ordained. 
His  second  marriage  was  on  March  12,  1856,  when  the 
bride  was  Rowena  Dyson.  About  the  time  of  his  ordi- 
nation the  Zoar  Association  was  formed.  Upon  the 
decision  of  the  Middle  District  Association,  to  cooperate 
with  the  General  Association  of  Virginia,  a  few 
churches  that  did  not  approve  of  missionary,  Sunday 
school,  and  other  such  forms  of  work,  and  who  felt 
that  the  money  basis  of  representation  in  the  associa- 
tion was  unscriptural,  withdrew,  and  organized  the  Zoar 
Association.  This  body  seems  to  have  had  a  feeble  life, 
and  about  1844  ceased  to  exist.  Elder  Gregory  was 
evidently  in  sympathy  with  the  principles  of  the  Zoar 
Association,  and  he  was  one  of  the  preachers  on  the 
Sabbath,  at  the  meetings  of  the  body  at  Angola,  Cum- 
berland County,  in  1841,  and  at  Sandy  Creek,  Amelia 
County,  in  August,  1843.  Information  is  not  at  hand 
to  show  the  churches  Elder  Gregory  served  in  the  first 
part  of  his  ministry.  On  May  11,  1861,  he  became 
pastor  of  the  Chesterfield  Church,  and  continued  to 
minister  to  this  flock  until  his  death,  December  7,  1877. 
The  Chesterfield  Church,  which  had  been  a  member  of 
the  Zoar  Association,  returned  to  the  Middle  District 
in  1855.  Anti-missionary  principles,  however,  were 
strong  in  this  church,  and,  again  and  again,  at  the 
annual  gatherings  of  the  Middle  District,  unpleasant 
and    unprofitable    discussions    on    these    subjects    were 

*Based  on  Moore's  "History  of  the  Middle  District  Association." 

267 


268         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

brought  on  by  the  delegates  from  this  church.  Elder 
Gregory  preached  the  introductory  sermon  before 
the  Middle  District  in  its  meeting  at  Mount  Moriah, 
Powhatan  County,  in  1862,  but  he  doubtless  shared  and 
promoted  the  anti-missionary  views  of  his  church.  "He 
was  an  affectionate  husband  and  parent,  a  worthy  citi- 
zen, and  good  neighbor.  He  was  a  successful  farmer 
and  merchant,  and  owned  a  pleasant  and  attractive 
home,  where  it  was  his  pleasure  to  dispense  the  most 
generous  hospitality.  He  was  quick  in  his  movements, 
warm  and  impulsive  in  his  temper,  bold,  and,  at  times, 
indiscreet  in  his  utterances,  unyielding  in  his  religious 
opinions,  and  uncompromising  in  his  views." 


G.  C.  TREVILLIAN 

G.  C.  Trevillian  was  born  in  Albemarle  County,  Vir- 
ginia, June  12,  1793.  He  was  married  twice.  His  first 
wife  was  Miss  Henrietta  Carr.  Of  this  union  numerous 
children  were  born,  but  at  the  father's  death  only  four 
of  them  were  living.  His  second  wife,  who  was  Mrs. 
Thurman.  lived  but  a  short  time.  He  was  baptized  by 
Elder  John  Goss,  in  1826.  In  1829,  he  was  ordained 
to  the  full  work  of  the  gospel  ministry,  and  soon  after- 
wards became  the  pastor  of  Liberty  Baptist  Church, 
Albemarle  County.  This  church  was  organized  in  1829 ; 
in  1833  it  entertained  the  Albemarle  Association,  and 
in  1855  it  numbered  146  members.  He  remained  pastor 
of  this  church  some  twenty-six  years.  After  this  he 
worked  several  years  as  colporter.  Dr.  Turpin,  in  his 
"Brief  History  of  the  Albemarle  Baptist  Association," 
speaks  of  G.  C.  Trevillian  as  one  of  the  most  excellent 
workers  in  the  field  colporter  work  with  whom  the  asso- 
ciation had  been  favored.  "His  preaching  was  plain, 
practical,  sound,  and  earnest."  His  piety  was  deep  and 
genuine.  Though  a  great  sufferer,  he  met  death  with 
unwavering    faith,    repeating,    a    few   hours   before    his 

death, 

"Jesus,  lover  of  my  soul, 
Let  me  to  Thy  bosom  fly." 

He  passed  away,  on  January  15,  1877.  at  the  residence 
of  his  son-in-law,  Mr.  W.  H.  Loving,  in  Albemarle 
County. 


269 


NORVEL  WINSBORO  WILSON 

Norvel  Winsboro  Wilson  was  born,  October  20,  1834, 
at  Franklin,  the  county  seat  of  Pendleton  County,  Vir- 
ginia (now  West  Virginia),  "where  the  mountains  climb 
the  highest,  valleys  dip  the  deepest,  streams  sparkle 
brightest,  and  wild  nature  clothes  herself  in  most  rugged 
apparel."  His  parents  were  pious  Methodists,  and  he 
was  duly  christened,  receiving  the  name  of  Bishop  Norvel 
Wilson,  a  well-known  Methodist  preacher.  From  his 
earliest  years  he  seems  to  have  delighted  in  the  com- 
panionship of  preachers,  and  with  his  "little  sister"  was 
a  regular  attendant  upon  religious  worship,  paying  his 
"quarterage,"  and  counting  himself  a  full  member  of 
the  church,  for  had  he  not  been  initiated?  When,  how- 
ever, he  was  refused  participation  in  the  Lord's  Supper 
he  was  much  distressed,  and  resolving  to  fall  from  grace 
took  part,  at  the  first  opportunity,  in  an  old  Virginia 
breakdown  dance.  His  mother  was  a  Miss  Littell,  whose 
ancestor  was  a  brother  of  the  Littell  of  the  famous 
Littell's  "Living  Age."  Her  early  death,  of  which  she 
had  seemed  to  have  a  presentiment,  "proved  a  cloud  big 
with  mercy"  to  young  Norvel.  Would  it  not  have  been 
strange  if  his  heart  had  remained  untouched  as  he  saw 
the  good  woman  approach  and  meet  her  end,  now  pre- 
paring clothes  for  husband  and  children  to  wear  when 
she  should  be  gone,  now  wrestling  with  tears  at  the 
mercy  seat  for  strength !  His  conversion  occurred  at  a 
camp-meeting  ground  twelve  miles  from  home,  the  dis- 
tance seeming  as  nothing  when  once  he  became  alarmed 
about  his  soul's  welfare.  After  a  night  of  agony  the  "joy 
of  the  Lord  came  with  the  morning,"  and  so  amazing 
did  God's  grace  appear  to  the  youth  of  fourteen  he 
thought  he  surely  "should  never  again  sin  against  such 
mercy."       His     thoughts     soon     turned     towards     the 

270 


NORVEL  WINSBORO  WILSON  271 

ministry,  and  so  steps  were  taken  to  secure  an  educa- 
tion. His  father  agreed  to  give  him  the  time,  and  his 
aunt  the  board  while  he  attended  a  classical  school. 
From  the  time  when  he  left  home  with  a  heavy  heart 
and  a  brown  carpet  bag,  "a  cabinet  of  treasures,"  in 
which  were  stored  all  his  possessions,  until  he  was 
eighteen  years  of  age,  young  Wilson  seems  to  have  made 
good  use  of  his  opportunities.  Nor  did  he  ever  forget 
the  impressions  and  associations  of  these  formative  days. 
How  vividly  was  pictured  on  memory  the  "tall,  gawkish, 
white-haired  boy  with  an  eye  that  danced  and  rolled  like 
a  snake's,  wearing  a  broken,  rusty,  seedy  'beaver,'  with 
pantaloons  covering  about  half  the  calf,  bearing  under 
his  arm  a  half-washed  shirt  tied  up  in  a  greasy,  red  silk 
handkerchief,"  who  appeared  at  the  school  one  Sabbath 
morning!  A  boy  who  was  to  astonish  them  all  by  his 
thorough  preparation  and  rapid  advancement,  and  who 
was  afterwards  to  become  "a  finished  speaker,  a  first-rate 
scholar,"  and  finally  a  college  professor. 

To  obtain  funds  to  go  on  with  his  education  young 
Wilson  now  engaged  in  business.  Of  this  period  he,  in 
later  Hfe,  wrote  as  follows:  "At  eighteen,  poor  and  in- 
experienced, I  found  myself  two  hundred  miles  from 
home,  in  midwinter,  without  an  acquaintance,  attempt- 
ing to  establish  business,  which,  should  it  fail,  would 
leave  me  without  the  means  to  take  me  back  to  home  and 
friends.  Everything  was  unpropitious,  except  that  I  had 
determined  to  succeed.  And  united  with  the  resolution 
were  earnest  prayers  and  continued  effort.  Amid  many 
discouragements  God  owned  and  prospered  my  labors." 
With  success  there  came  the  temptation  to  turn  away 
from  the  ministry,  but  he  could  not  hush  God's  call. 
Upon  his  conversion  he  had  united  with  the  Moravians, 
but  finally,  much  against  his  wishes,  he  became  a  Baptist, 
since  he  felt  that  duty  led  this  way,  and  was  baptized, 
September,    1857,    at    Laurel    Grove    Church,    Halifax 


272         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

County,  Virginia.  A  correspondent  of  the  Religious 
Herald,  writing  upon  the  occasion  of  Brother  Wilson's 
baptism,  said :  "I  have  met  with  few  young  men  superior 
to  him  in  intellect."  After  almost  a  year  spent  in  col- 
porter  work,  he  was  ordained  at  Bethany  Church,  Pitt- 
sylvania County,  Virginia,  August  11,  1858;  the  ser- 
mon was  preached  by  Elder  W.  M.  Ferguson ;  the  prayer 
was  offered  by  Elder  R.  S.  Hurt ;  the  charge  was  deliv- 
ered by  Elder  J.  B.  Hardwick ;  the  Bible  was  presented 
by  Elder  S.  Gardner.  Before  his  ordination,  he  had 
received  and  accepted  a  call  to  Bethany  and  Mount  Her- 
mon  churches,  both  in  Pittsylvania  County.  He  served 
these  churches  for  more  than  a  year,  and  then  became 
pastor  of  the  Cross  Roads  Church,  in  Halifax  County, 
Virginia,  and  the  Ephesus  Church,  eight  miles  away,  in 
Person  County,  North  Carolina.  In  1861,  Mr.  Wilson 
resigned  these  churches,  which  he  had  served  about 
eighteen  months,  to  take  charge  of  the  church  at  Chapel 
Hill,  the  seat  of  the  University  of  North  Carolina.  It 
was  said  that  Mr.  Wilson  first  became  known  as  a 
preacher  of  rare  excellence  at  Chapel  Hill.  No  doubt 
the  presence  of  students  and  professors  in  his  congre- 
gation, and  as  his  associates  and  neighbors,  stimulated 
him  to  do  his  best  work,  and  developed  his  splendid  gifts. 
Certainly  few  places  afford  a  more  attractive  home  for 
a  preacher  of  literary  tastes,  or  a  more  important  field 
of  labor,  since  hundreds  of  young  men  may  receive  im- 
pressions for  good,  from  a  faithful  minister,  which  will 
last  for  life.  Mr.  Wilson  seemed  to  have  been  pleased 
with  Chapel  Hill,  and  Chapel  Hill  with  him.  His  longest 
pastorate  was  here ;  the  University  conferred  upon  him 
the  degree  of  M.  A. ;  upon  the  visit  of  President  Andrew 
Johnson  and  his  cabinet  to  the  Commencement,  in  1865, 
town  and  gown  selected  Mr.  Wilson  to  make  the  address 
of  welcome;  President  Swain  used  to  say  that  he  was 
a  man  of  most  extraordinary  power,  and  a  writer  from 


NORVEL  WINSBORO  WILSON  273 

Chapel  Hill,  no  other  than  Mrs.  C.  P.  Spencer  (author 
of  an  excellent  school  history  of  North  Carolina),  wrote 
so  gracefully  to  her  denominational  paper,  the  North 
Carolina  Presbyterian,  about  Mr.  Wilson,  that  a  part  of 
her  letter,  at  least,  should  be  quoted.  A  joint  picnic  of 
Baptists  and  Methodists,  at  Mount  Carmel  Church, 
Orange  County,  is  described.  Short  speeches  were  part 
of  the  programme,  and  one  of  them  was  made  by  Mr. 
Wilson.  The  writer  says :  "The  Rev.  Mr.  Wilson,  of 
the  Baptist  Church,  at  Chapel  Hill,  can  make  a  better 
and  more  graceful  ten-minute  speech  than  any  minister 
I  know.  In  fact,  there  is  not  a  better  or  more  effectual 
preacher  anywhere — a  man  of  spirit,  sense,  cultivation, 
and  genius.  I  hope  the  Baptists  are  proud  of  him  and 
know  how  to  appreciate  him.  If  they  don't,  then  I  do 
wish  he  was  a  Presbyterian." 

In  something  over  a  year  after  going  to  Chapel  Hill, 
Mr.  Wilson  was  married  to  Miss  Sallie  F.  Betts,  of 
Black  Walnut,  Halifax  County,  Virginia,  daughter  of 
Captain  W.  S.  Betts.  This  happy  event  occurred  on 
June  13,  1862,  the  ceremony  being  performed  by  Rev. 
Wm.  Slate. 

In  1867.  Mr.  Wilson  accepted  a  call  to  Farmville,  Va., 
where  he  had,  writes  his  wife,  "two  and  a  half  years  of 
sunshine  and  success.  A  loving,  united  church,  ready 
for  every  good  word  and  work,  helped  him  in  a  glorious 
work  for  his  Master."  In  1870,  he  resigned  his  church 
in  Farmville  to  accept  a  call  to  the  Grace  Street  Church, 
Richmond.  Va.  In  1872,  the  honorary  degree  of  D.  D. 
was  conferred  upon  him  by  Wake  Forest  College,  North 
Carolina.  For  seventeen  years  this  church  had  enjoyed 
the  privilege  of  having  Dr.  Jeter  as  their  undershepherd, 
and  when  he  resigned  to  give  more  of  his  time  to  the 
editorship  of  the  Religions  Herald,  the  congregation 
must  have  felt  that  it  would  be  difficult  to  fill  his  place. 
Yet  the  sequel  seems  to  show  that  the  selection  of  Dr. 
Wilson  was  no  mistake. 


274         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

Dr.  Wilson  was  pastor  of  Grace  Street  for  nearly 
five  years.  During  this  time  a  revival  occurred,  he  do- 
ing all  the  preaching,  by  which  over  100  members  were 
added  to  the  church.  In  the  five  years  of  his  pastorate 
162  persons  were  baptized  and  $40,000  contributed  to 
church  and  benevolent  objects.  Throughout  these  years 
his  congregations  were  large  and  the  church  in  a  pros- 
perous condition.  The  estimate  of  Dr.  Wilson,  as  a 
preacher,  which  appeared  in  the  Herald,  upon  Dr. 
Wilson's  resignation,  is  especially  interesting,  as  it  comes 
from  the  former  pastor  of  the  church,  from  such  a  good 
judge  as  Dr.  Jeter.  He  says :  "Dr.  Wilson  is  a  preacher 
of  rare  endowments.  We  have  heard  ministers  whose 
style  was  more  polished,  whose  gestures  were  more 
graceful,  and  whose  reasoning  was  more  logical,  but  the 
freshness,  originality,  and  vivacity  of  his  sermons  we 
have  never  known  excelled.  He  never  repeats  his  own 
thoughts  or  runs  in  old  ruts,  or  even  crosses  his  tracks 
without  reminding  his  hearers  of  it.  His  preaching  is 
eminently  scriptural.  All  his  discourses  are  drawn  from 
the  word  of  God.  He  may  take  the  most  familiar  text 
and  seem  to  be  almost  necessitated  to  follow  the  beaten 
track,  and  yet  he  will  strike  out  on  new  trains  of  thought 
obviously  drawn  from  the  text  or  the  context.  We  heard 
him  preach  almost  constantly  for  several  years,  and  we 
never  listened  to  him  without  interest  and  instruction." 
Surely  this  is  high  praise. 

For  some  months  after  his  resignation  of  the  Grace 
Street  pastorate.  Dr.  Wilson  was  engaged  most  success- 
fully in  protracted  meetings  at  several  of  our  strongest 
Southern  churches.  He  was  at  Walnut  Street,  Louis- 
ville, and  at  Coliseum  Place,  New  Orleans,  his  work  in 
the  last  place  resulting  in  his  becoming  the  pastor  of  the 
church.  Dr.  Wilson  possessed  unusual  evangelistic 
ability,  and  in  the  course  of  his  ministry  helped  many  a 
brother  pastor  in  series  of  special  meetings. 


NORVEL  WINSBORO  WILSON  275 

Dr.  Wilson's  pastorate  of  three  years  in  New  Orleans 
was  a  season  of  varied  activity  and  large  usefulness.  In 
his  own  church,  in  the  denomination  throughout  the 
State,  and  among  other  denominations,  he  seems  to  have 
been  greatly  esteemed  both  as  a  preacher,  and  as  a  pure 
and  humble  Christian.  We  get  a  glimpse  of  his  busy 
pastor  life  in  an  article,  entitled  "One  Day,"  written  in 
a  genial  vein,  which  appeared  in  the  Herald.  It  is  but 
a  page  from  many  a  city  pastor's  life;  a  Wednesday  is 
described,  when  scarcely  any  time  is  allowed  to  prepare 
the  prayer-meeting  talk,  because  of  numerous  and 
various  demands  and  calls.  Dr.  Wilson  was  in  demand 
to  preach  upon  commencement  and  other  anniversary 
occasions,  while  his  own  work  in  an  important  and 
difficult  field  went  forward.  An  address  on  "The  Bible," 
which  he  delivered  in  Dr.  Palmer's  church  (Presby- 
terian), on  the  occasion  of  the  twenty-eighth  anniversary 
of  the  Southwestern  Bible  Society,  was  published  in 
tract  form  for  general  distribution.  In  Richmond,  Dr. 
Wilson  had  succeeded  that  tower  of  strength.  Dr.  Jeter; 
in  New  Orleans,  he  followed  Dr.  E.  G.  Taylor,  a  man  of 
varied  talents,  sustaining  and  even  increasing  his  repu- 
tation as  a  preacher.  But  dark  clouds  of  disease  and 
death  were  gathering.  In  the  summer  and  fall  of  1878 
New  Orleans  and  many  other  Southern  cities  were  deso- 
lated by  the  yellow  fever.  In  the  midst  of  the  plague 
a  correspondent  of  one  of  our  religious  papers  wrote : 
"The  pestilence  is,  indeed,  fearful.  Our  cities  and  towns 
are  depopulated,  our  churches  are  scattered,  and  business 
suspended.  Panic  and  hopelessness  possess  the  hearts 
of  the  people."  The  possibility  of  the  yellow  fever  in 
New  Orleans  had  not  been  forgotten  or  left  out  of  count 
by  Dr.  Wilson  in  his  consideration  of  the  call  to  Coliseum 
Place,  and,  before  accepting,  he  had  decided  what  he 
would  do  should  the  dreaded  scourge  come.  He  had  no 
doubt  as  to  what  course  to  pursue.     "My  duty  is  to  stay 


276         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

and  minister  to  this  afflicted  people,"  so  he  wrote  to 
friends  who  urged  him  to  escape.  He  remained  at  his 
post,  and  with  him  his  whole  family,  but  his  house  was 
not  to  escape  the  pestilence,  which  was  walking  at  noon- 
tide. First  his  seven  children,  then  his  wife,  and  finally 
Dr.  Wilson  himself  were  prostrated  by  the  fever.  Writ- 
ing to  a  friend  in  Richmond  about  his  sick  ones,  Dr. 
Wilson  said :  "They  are  in  God's  hands,  the  subjects  of 
many  prayers,  and  I  am  hopeful.  Of  course  I  am  worn, 
but  well.  The  fourth  chapter  of  Second  Corinthians, 
eighth  and  ninth  verses,  describe  our  condition.  'We  are 
troubled  on  every  side,  but  not  distressed.  We  are  per- 
plexed, but  not  in  despair ;  persecuted,  but  not  forsaken ; 
cast  down,  but  not  destroyed.'  I  have  escaped  so  far." 
All  were  very  ill,  three  of  the  children  having  "the  black 
vomit,"  usually  counted  a  certain  forerunner  of  death, 
but  all  recovered  save  the  father.  Littell,  the  oldest 
child,  the  first  of  the  family  to  be  taken  with  the 
fever,  was  prostrated  about  the  20th  of  August,  and 
scarcely  three  weeks  had  passed  when  the  summons  of 
death  came  to  the  father;  on  Friday,  September  6,  1878, 
this  soldier  of  Christ  fell  at  his  post,  fell  with  his  armor 
on.  Writing  of  these  trying  days  and  of  the  kindness 
of  the  church,  Mrs.  Wilson  says:  "Mothers  and  fathers 
could  not  have  been  kinder,  gentler,  more  thoughtful. 
Dear  old  Coliseum!  .  .  .  They  thought  for  us, 
planned  for  us,  and  took  us  to  their  homes,  till  the  quar- 
antine was  raised  about  November  1st." 

The  funeral  sermon  was  preached  by  Dr.  Palmer,  for 
many  years  the  most  distinguished  Presbyterian  minister 
in  New  Orleans,  and  one  of  the  most  distinguished 
ministers  of  his  denomination  in  the  South.  Memorial 
services  were  held  in  Grace  Street  Church,  Richmond, 
which  were  largely  attended,  when  addresses  were  deliv- 
ered by  Drs.  J.  R.  Garlick,  W.  E.  Hatcher,  J.  L.  M 
Curry,  J.  B.  Jeter,  and  Rev.  J.  Z.  Tyler,  of  the  Christian 


NORVEL  WINSBORO  WILSON  277 

Church.  Subsequentl}^  Dr.  Wilson's  remains  were  re- 
moved from  New  Orleans  to  Richmond,  at  which  time 
still  other  services  appropriate  to  the  occasion  were  held. 
Dr.  Wilson  was  rather  below  than  above  the  average 
height,  but  of  well-proportioned  figure.  His  face  was 
not  stern,  though  serious  and  marked  by  great  dignity. 
His  glance  suggested  strength  of  purpose  and  character. 
His  high  and  broad  forehead  did  not  mislead  as  to  his 
intellectual  power.  A  beard  of  unusual  length  and  soft- 
ness contributed  to  his  striking  individuality.  Dr. 
Wilson  was  a  good  musician,  qualified  to  instruct  others 
in  an  art  which  was  dear  to  him,  and  which  he  believed 
to  be  essential  to  a  thorough  education.  During  his 
pastorate  at  Chapel  Hill  he  took  steps  to  establish  at  that 
place  a  musical  school.  This  enterprise  was  cut  short, 
however,  in  its  very  incipiency,  by  Dr.  Wilson's  removal 
to  Farmville.  Akin  to  music  is  poetry,  and  Dr.  Wilson 
sometimes  exercised  his  gift  in  writing  verses.  On  his 
forty-second  birthday  he  wrote  a  poem,  entitled  "My 
Birthday,"  from  which  the  stanzas  that  follow  are 
selected : 

"Fast  flitting  days  and  swift  rolling  spheres, 
Are  swinging  me  onward  'tis  true, 

My  old  clock  Time, 

In  her  yearly  chime. 
Has   this  morning  struck,   Forty-two. 

The  weary  and  worn  from  toil  shall  rest, 
For  the  wicked  their  troubling  cease; 

No  plough-shares  of  Care 

Shall   furrows   lay  bare, 
On  that  mount  of  ceaseless  Peace." 

Dr.  Wilson  was  scarcely  a  copious  writer,  yet  his  con- 
tributions for  the  religious  papers  were  not  a  few,  and 
were  always  marked  by  freshness  and  vigor.  Dr.  Wilson 
was,  however,  at  his  best  as  a  preacher.  Strong  words 
concerning  his  power  in  the  pulpit  have  already  been 
quoted.     Dr.  Gambrell,  writing  of  Dr.  Wilson's  death. 


278         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

in  the  Mississippi  Record,  said :  "In  every  place  he  took 
a  commanding  position  as  a  preacher.  ...  As  a 
preacher  he  was  the  peer  of  the  best  in  the  whole  South. 

Dr.  Wilson  was  at  home  in  the  pulpit. 
The  next  and  only  other  time  we  heard  him  preach  was 
at  Summit.  .  .  .  The  hidden  resources  of  Jesus  was 
his  subject.  We  have  heard  but  few  discourses  in  our 
life  equal  to  that  in  power.  .  .  .  Dr.  Wilson  was 
a  remarkable  platform  speaker,  as  well  as  a  great 
preacher.  ...  In  our  last  Convention  his  speech  on 
missions  was  the  best  we  have  ever  heard  from  any  one. 
It  thrills  in  our  heart  yet."  Dr.  Daniel  Witt,  who  lived 
near  Farmville  while  Dr.  Wilson  was  pastor  there,  once 
told  Dr.  J.  R.  Garlick  that  the  members  of  the  Farmville 
church  used  to  say :  "Dr.  Wilson  preaches  like  an 
angel."  Dr.  Wilson's  preaching  was  scriptural,  it  was 
attractive,  and  it  was  with  power.  What  nobler  aspira- 
tion for  a  preacher  than  to  know  how  to  preach,  that  by 
the  foolishness  of  preaching  God  may  lead  men  to  that 
solid  rock  described  in  Dr.  Wilson's  favorite  hymn, 
which  he  is  said  to  have  introduced  into  Richmond,  and 
which  was  sung  at  his  funeral : 

"My  hope  is  built   on  nothing  less 
Than  Jesus'  blood  and  righteousness ; 
I  dare  not  trust  the  sweetest  fame, 
But  wholly  lean  on  Jesus'  name. 
On  Christ  the  solid  rock  I  stand, 
All  other  ground  is  sinking  sand." 

A  learned  professor  of  an  eminent  institution  of  learn- 
ing, not  Baptist,  did  not  hesitate  to  pronounce  Dr. 
Wilson  one  of  the  best,  if  not  the  best,  of  the  preachers 
whom  he  had  heard. 


WILLIAM  MOORE 

The  minutes  of  the  General  Association  for  1878 
chronicle  the  death  of  William  Moore.  His  body  rests 
in  a  family  graveyard  some  two  miles  from  Walker's 
Church,  Appomattox  County,  Virginia.  At  the  age  of 
seventy-three  years  and  six  months,  having  been  a  success- 
ful and  active  minister  of  the  gospel  for  more  than  half  a 
century,  he  fell  on  sleep.  The  larger  part  of  his  ministry 
seems  to  have  been  spent  in  the  James  River  Association, 
where  he  was  pastor  of  the  following  churches,  members 
of  that  body :  Union,  Chestnut  Grove,  Mount  Hope,  and 
Buckingham.  This  last  church,  which  is  in  the  lower 
end  of  the  county  whose  name  it  bears,  during  150  years 
had  but  four  pastors,  Wm.  Moore,  whose  service  was 
from  1841  to  1846,  being  one  of  them.  He  was  the 
moderator  of  the  James  River  Association,  at  the  ses- 
sions of  1842.  1845,  and  1846;  preached  the  introduc- 
tory sermon  in  1842,  and  was  one  of  the  preachers  in 
1833,  1834,  1835,  1840,  1847,  and  1856.  In  1855-1856 
he  was  for  a  season  a  missionary  of  the  State  Mission 
Board,  working  in  Buckingham  and  Cumberland 
counties,  and  giving  most  of  his  time  to  protracted-meet- 
ing work.  In  these  meetings  there  were  sixty  conver- 
sions. While  with  the  State  Board  he  also  organized 
one  church,  and  distributed  and  sold  books.  Towards 
the  end  of  his  life  he  was  pastor  of  the  Rocks  Church,  in 
Appomattox  County,  Appomattox  Association. 


279 


THADDEUS  HERNDON 

Thaddeus  Herndon  was  born  in  Fauquier  County, 
Virginia,  May  9,  1807.  He  fell  on  sleep  June  2,  1878. 
He  was  the  eldest  of  four  brothers  (Richard  N.,  Tra- 
verse D.,  and  Henry  T.),  who  were  useful  and  honored 
Baptist  ministers.  Thaddeus  was  the  youngest  of  the 
four  in  the  order  of  succession  to  the  heavenly  inherit- 
ance. He  received  his  education  in  his  father's  school 
in  Fauquier  County. 

On  June  22,  1828,  he  was  baptized  into  the  fellow- 
ship of  the  Long  Branch  Church,  by  Rev.  Wm.  F. 
Broaddus.  His  activity  in  the  church,  and  his  growing 
piety  soon  brought  him  into  prominence.  He  was  a 
sweet  singer  and  gifted  in  prayer.  In  the  exercise  of 
his  gifts  in  conducting  prayer-meetings  he  received  his 
call  to  the  ministry.  He  was  licensed  to  preach,  Jan- 
uary 29,  1833,  and  on  July,  1834,  an  order  was  passed 
by  the  church  for  his  ordination  as  an  evangelist.  For 
some  years  he  preached  as  an  evangelist,  or,  as  what  we 
would  now  call,  a  missionary,  in  Fauquier,  Prince 
William,  Stafford,  Fairfax,  and  Loudoun  counties.  We 
may  well  judge  of  his  physical  labors  by  the  territory 
to  which  he  was  assigned.  He  was  for  sixteen  years 
the  pastor  of  the  churches  at  Front  Royal  and  Howells- 
ville,  in  Warren  County ;  but  the  great  work  of  his  life 
was  with  Antioch  Church,  in  Prince  William  County, 
and  North  Fork  Church,  in  Loudoun  County.  He  was 
chosen  pastor  of  these  churches  about  the  same  time, 
in  1838.  With  them  he  continued  till  his  death.  From 
each  of  these  churches  he  was  distant  twenty  miles.  His 
actual  traveling  to  and  from  them  would  be  at  least  a 
thousand  miles  a  year,  and  this  for  forty  years ! ! 
What    physical   endurance   he   possessed    to    accomplish 

280 


THADDEUS  HERNDON  281 

it !  At  the  same  time  he  rode  nearly  as  far  to  other 
churches  every  month.  We  may  truly  say  of  him  his 
death  was  rest  from  labors. 

As  a  man,  he  was  tall  and  finely  proportioned.  His 
features  were  a  combination  of  strength,  gentleness, 
and  amiability.  He  was  simple  and  unaffected  as  a 
child  in  manner,  but  firm  and  decided.  I  verily  believe 
this  world  possessed  no  force  or  combination  of  forces 
that  could  have  moved  him  to  consider  for  one  moment 
a  proposal  to  turn  from  the  slightest  matter  he  deemed 
his  duty.  His  independence  and  moral  courage  were 
shown  in  his  convictions  as  to  slavery.  As  he  thought 
over  the  matter,  the  possession  of  slaves  became  repul- 
sive to  him.  He  determined  to  liberate  those  he  owned. 
This  he  did.  He  and  his  brother  Traverse  liberated 
$30,000  worth  of  slaves,  and  furnished  transportation 
for  them  to  Liberia,  and  spent  $2,000  in  procuring 
everything  to  make  them  comfortable — clothing,  bed- 
ding, implements  of  husbandry,  mechanic's  tools,  books. 
Bibles,  and  a  family  Bible  for  each  family.  The  tender 
farewell  of  the  master  to  his  servants  is  thus  described 
b}^  the  Rev.  John  Seys,  in  the  Maryland  Colonisation 
Journal: 

"The  ship  Euphrasia,  which  sailed  November  3d, 
for  Liberia,  was  engaged  in  taking  in  her  emigrants.  I 
was  walking  among  a  company  of  slaves  made  free  by 
Rev.  Thaddeus  Herndon,  of  Fauquier,  when  a  gentle- 
man came  down  from  the  deck,  and  I  soon  learned  that 
he  was  Mr.  Herndon,  who  had  thus  made  free  a  com- 
pany of  servants  worth  $30,000.  I  sought  an  introduc- 
tion. Mr.  Herndon,  hearing  that  I  had  been  in  Africa, 
immediately  determined  that  I  should  address  them.  I 
closed  my  address  and  Mr.  Herndon  followed  me.  He 
said :  T  may  not  see  you  again.  I  may  as  well  say  all 
I  have  to  say  now,'  and  then  he  became  so  choked  for 
utterance,  and  tears   fell  so   fast  that  a  silence  ensued 


282         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

only  broken  by  sighs  and  sobs  of  the  entire  party.  'My 
heart  is  too  full ;  I  can  hardly  speak.  You  know  how 
we  have  lived  together.  Servants,  hear  me !  We  have 
grown  up  together.  We  have  done  the  best  for  you. 
For  two  or  three  years  this  move  has  been  contemplated, 
and  you  are  now  on  the  point  of  starting  for  the  land 
of  your  ancestors.  When  you  have  been  there  some 
few  months  we  will  send  you  out  another  supply  of 
provisions  and  will  continue  to  do  so.  And,  now,  you 
three  brethren  who  have  been  appointed  by  the  church 
to  watch  over  your  brethren — a  word  to  you:  You 
are  chosen  to  admonish,  guide,  and  counsel  the  others, 
not  to  lord  it  over  them,  but  gently  and  kindly  to  watch 
over  their  souls.  And,  now,  God  bless  you.  Write  to 
me,  Washington — you  can  write.  I  have  furnished  you 
with  paper.  Keep  a  journal.  Put  all  your  names  down, 
even  the  children,  and  write  opposite  every  name  every- 
thing that  happens  concerning  each.  I  shall  feel  much 
interest  in  hearing  from  you,  we  all  will — especially 
Miss  Fannie.'  (Here  the  bare  mention  of  the  name  of 
their  almost  adored  mistress  started  their  grief  afresh.) 
'Now,'  continued  Mr.  Herndon,  'as  we  may  never  meet 
again,  let  us  part  with  prayer  to  Almighty  God  for  you 
all.'  We  knelt  down  there  in  that  steerage,  and  under 
feelings  which  words  are  but  poor  means  to  describe, 
engaged  in  prayer,  amid  the  cries  and  sobs,  the  tears 
and  broken  hearts  around  us.  One  of  the  men  presented 
me  with  a  little  book  of  'Memoranda  for  Jess.'  I  took 
it  and  read  the  names  of  Jess  and  Lucy  his  wife  and 
their  children  and  ages ;  then  followed  the  ages,  and 
advice  and  counsel  were  inserted  under  various  heads, 
such  as  only  a  father  could  give  his  children.  As  I  read 
aloud  the  whole  company  gathered  around.  When  the 
godly  admonition  of  the  Christian  master,  as  here 
penned,  fell  on  their  ears,  bursts  of  grief  and  sobs  were 
heard  from  men,  women,  and  children.     Something  was 


THADDEUS  HERNDON  283 

said  on  almost  every  point — personal  religion,  the  train- 
ing of  their  children,  education,  habits  of  industry, 
prudence,  economy,  diet — everything.  The  last  leaf 
was  the  most  affecting.  It  was  from  their  mistress.  In 
a  neat  lady's  hand  were  written  a  few  lines  to  'Jess, 
Lucy,  and  the  dear  children.'  They  were  lines  that  none 
but  a  feeling  heart,  a  pious  soul,  a  maternal  bosom  could 
have  dictated.  Reader,  call  me  baby,  fool,  anything,  I 
care  not,  but  I  confess  unhesitatingly  that  I  was  weak 
enough  to  weep  with  that  company  of  weeping  emi- 
grants in  the  hold  of  that  ship  as  I  read  the  affectionate 
farewell  of  their  beloved  mistress." 

In  a  brief  sketch  of  Thaddeus  Herndon,  at  the  time 
of  his  death.  Dr.  J.  A.  Haynes,  a  warm,  personal,  min- 
isterial friend,  said :  "As  a  preacher,  some  would  say 
Brother  Herndon  was  old-fashioned  and  out  of  date. 
He  was  old-fashioned  as  the  apostles,  but  out  of  date 
never.  His  preaching  was  eminently  sound  and  safe ; 
sharp,  incisive,  earnest.  His  manner  of  preaching  was 
deliberate,  impressive ;  and,  when  warmed  to  his  sub- 
ject, animated,  and  effective.  He  knew  no  softened, 
apologetic  words  for  sin  or  sinful  practices,  no  matter 
by  whom  committed.  He  spoke  his  mind  freely  in  re- 
gard to  all  such  cases,  where  he  thought  duty  required 
him  to  do  so.  He  sometimes  gave  offense,  but  his  un- 
changed course  of  gentleness,  kindness,  and  Christian 
love  would,  sooner  or  later,  win  back  the  offended.  He 
looked  upon  the  sinner's  course  as  so  unreasonable  and 
ungrateful,  that  his  preaching  sometimes  seemed  harsh. 
It  was  only  seeming,  for  a  more  tender,  sympathetic,  and 
loving  heart  did  seldom  beat  in  the  heart  of  God's 
ambassador. 

"His  home  was  particularly  sweet  and  attractive.  He 
was  twice  married ;  first  to  Miss  Ann  Rector,  who  left 
one  child.  He  was  next  married  to  Miss  Mary  F. 
Gibson,    September,    1842.      Of   this   union   there   were 


284         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

eight  children,  who  lived  to  manhood  and  womanhood. 
Between  them  all  there  was  a  mutual  confidence  and 
dependence,  felt  and  manifested,  that  was  beautiful  to 
behold.  Love  ruled  his  home,  and  over  all  there  was  a 
spirit  of  piety  always  pervading  his  household  that  was 
delightful  and  impressive." 

In  his  home  the  character  of  the  man  was  best  seen. 
In  public  intercourse  and  contact  with  their  fellow-men, 
most  persons  mask  themselves.  They  do  not  present 
the  same  person  their  families  see  every  day.  Their 
characters,  like  their  persons,  do  not  appear  in  public 
en  dishabille.  It  is  at  home  the  masks,  if  any,  come  off, 
and  the  real  character  is  seen.  I  think  it  perfectly  ac- 
curate to  say  that  Thaddeus  Herndon  wore  no  masks. 
His  life  at  home  was  more  noble  and  beautiful  than  the 
world  could  see  or  know.  He  was  as  courteous  and 
gentle  when  alone  with  his  family  as  when  in  the 
presence  of  visitors  or  in  the  homes  of  others.  He  was 
a  child  in  the  perfect  naturalness  of  his  life  and  conduct 
everywhere. 

He  reared  a  large  family,  and  provided  for  them — 
not  luxuriously,  but  better,  far  better — comfortably. 
To  do  this  he  had  no  large  income  upon  which  to  draw. 
His  resources  for  their  support  were  industry,  uncom- 
monly practical  sense,  and  sound  judgment.  He  had 
few  idle  moments.  He  knew  how  to  do  and  did  not 
hesitate  to  do  any  kind  of  work.  His  healthful,  vigor- 
ous mind,  his  cheerful  nature,  and  his  superb  frame 
owed  much  to  such  work.  He  managed  his  business 
affairs  with  rare  clearness  and  accuracy  of  judgment, 
and  with  wise  economy,  but  never  with  penuriousness. 
As  his  means  allowed,  he  fed,  clothed,  and  educated  his 
family;  and  when  he  died  left  no  debts  to  embarrass 
them  or  to  taint  his  memory. 

His  hospitality  was  large  and  generous.  It  gave  him 
real  joy  to  entertain  his  friends,  especially  his  brethren. 


THADDEUS  HERNDON  285 

His  home  was  seldom  without  guests.  The  preachers, 
whom  I  then  dreaded,  seemed  to  me  always  there.  He 
loved  them  and  rejoiced  to  have  them,  treating  the  most 
brilliant  and  noted,  the  most  humble  and  obscure,  with 
equal  affection  and  consideration.  Nor  did  he  forget 
to  entertain  the  stranger ;  none  was  ever  turned  from  his 
roof.  No  matter  how  suspicious  his  appearance,  or  how 
discomforting  to  himself  and  family,  a  place  was  pro- 
vided for  him — a  comfortable  place  and  abundant  food. 

He  niiled  zvell  his  home.  He  was  tender  and 
sympathetic  to  an  unusual  degree.  He  loved  his 
children  with  passionate  affection.  He  was  the  most 
absolutely  firm  man  I  ever  knew,  but  with  it  combined 
a  tenderness  equally  great.  His  word  was  absolute  law, 
and  the  end  of  all  controversy.  His  commands  were 
not  hasty  or  arbitrary,  but  when  given  there  was  no 
revoking  them ;  he  would  not  permit  the  efifort  to  do  so. 
He  required  prompt  and  perfect  obedience.  This  was 
well  understood,  consequently  the  rod  was  rarely  used ; 
indeed,  I  never  knew  it  used  but  once,  and  that  upon 
myself.  I  distinctly  recall  it  was  most  thoroughly  and 
effectively  handled  on  that  occasion.  He  did  not  deal 
in  threats ;   he  always  meant  and  did  just  what  he  said. 

He  was  careful  to  teach  that  work  was  ennobling  and 
that  idleness  was  degrading  and  perilous ;  therefore,  he 
planned  and  required  regular,  useful  employment  for 
each  of  the  family.  He  was  accustomed  to  say :  "It  is 
well  to  know  how  to  do  everything,  for  you  may  have 
it  to  do  some  day."  He  would  encourage  to  the  tasks 
he  assigned  by  rewards,  sometimes  by  small  sums  of 
money,  sometimes  by  allowing  some  privilege  that 
would  be  pleasant  or  amusing.  He  would  only  allow 
such  spending  money  as  was  earned.  He  taught  that 
waste  was  sin,  and  would  not  permit  it  in  anything. 
He  delighted  in  his  children's  joys,  and  sought  to  con- 
tribute to  their  pleasure.     He  had  no  higher  joy  than 


286         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

that  his  children  should  know  and  walk  in  the  truth. 
To  this  he  gave  the  most  constant  and  watchful  care, 
both  by  general  and  personal  instruction.  When  I  was 
just  large  enough  to  ride  behind  him  on  his  horse,  as  he 
rode  about  the  farm,  he  would  talk  much  upon  personal 
religion.  Many  are  the  quiet,  retired  spots  on  the  dear 
old  place,  sacred  to  me  still,  where  he  would  dismount, 
and  lifting  me  from  his  horse  would  kneel  in  prayer 
with  me.  Nothing  can  ever  dim  the  impressions  he 
made  upon  me  as  he  talked  with  God  in  my  behalf. 
Those  prayers  gave  me  the  impression  of  God's  all- 
pervading  presence,  that  at  no  time  has  ever  been  gotten 
rid  of. 

In  the  home  the  family  was  assembled  morning  and 
night  for  worship.  The  sun  did  not  rise  and  set  more 
regularly  than  he  pursued  this  habit.  It  was  never 
omitted.  At  harvesting  time,  or  wheat-threshing  time, 
thirty  hands  might  be  waiting  for  breakfast,  but  all 
must  wait  for  family  worship.  He  or  some  member  of 
the  family  might  have  an  early  train  to  catch,  three 
miles  away ;  it  mattered  not ;  the  family  must  first  come 
together  for  the  worship  of  God.  The  visitor  or 
stranger  w^as  almost  required  to  follow  this  custom  of 
his  home,  and  meet  with  the  family  to  hear  the  Book 
read  and  join  in  the  worship.  Such  petitions  as  he 
breathed  at  family  worship  I  have  never  heard.  Many 
of  them  are  fresh  in  my  mind  still.  They  varied  as  the 
daily  needs  and  circumstances  varied.  If  unusual 
blessings  came  into  the  home,  or  to  any  member  of  it, 
they  were  mentioned  and  gratefully  acknowledged.  If 
afflictions  came,  his  will  bowed  to  the  Divine  will,  and 
he  pleaded  for  comfort  and  strength.  If  one  was  leav- 
ing that  day,  the  presence  of  God  was  asked  to  attend 
that  one.  The  daily  petition  was  that  each  might  be 
brought  by  the  grace  of  God  into  the  fold.  The  stranger 
in    the  home  was  never    forgotten   in  these    petitions. 


THADDEUS  HERNDON  287 

Some  vears  after  his  death  a  useful  and  honored 
minister  of  the  gospel  said :  "I  was  convicted  of  sin 
and  led  to  Christ  by  your  father's  prayer  for  me  one 
morning  after  I  had  spent  the  night  in  his  home." 

This  stalwart,  courageous,  self-sacrificing,  faithful 
country  preacher,  of  the  saddle-pocket  type,  has  left  an 
abiding  work  throughout  the  counties  in  which  his  long 
life  was  spent.  He  was  a  towering,  heroic  man.  If  I 
were  an  artist  I  should  love  to  put  him  on  canvas  in 
many  phases  of  his  arduous  and  self-sacrificing  life.  I 
would  paint  him  with  kindly,  but  strong  face,  placing 
in  his  weather-beaten  saddle-pockets  his  well-worn 
Bible  and  hymn  book,  his  unpretentious,  but  neat,  linen; 
then  the  good-bye  to  the  care-worn,  unselfish  wife, 
watching  by  the  side  of  an  ill  child.  I  would  paint  him 
on  his  splendid  horse,  with  storm  coat  (no  furs  or 
arctics),  cloth  leggins.  buttoned  loosely  and  tied  at  the 
knee;  with  calm  and  resolute  face  riding  in  mud,  plung- 
ing through  snowdrifts,  while  the  storm  beats  in  fury 
upon  him.  And  I  would — oh,  so  much  w^ould  I  love — 
to  have  a  picture  of  him  when  he  gets  home,  and 
gathers  the  family  about  him  for  the  evening  worship. 
With  what  reverence  he  reads  God's  word  and  com- 
ments here  and  there.  The  prayer — ah.  neither  artist's 
brush  nor  rhetorician's  tongue  could  paint  that!  He 
is  in  the  very  presence  of  the  great  God.  His  tone  and 
manner  reveal  the  fact  that  he  is  talking  with  his 
Father,  with  whom  he  is  in  close  and  loving  relation. 
How  genuine  the  thanks  for  the  preservation  of  the 
loved  ones  during  his  absence  !  How  fervent  the  petition 
for  the  divine  blessing  upon  the  work  which,  with 
genuine  humility,  he  feels  has  been  feebly  done !  How 
mellow  and  trembling  is  the  voice  as  he  entreats  the 
Father  that  his  children  may  walk  in  the  truth  and 
adorn  the  doctrine  of  God! 

C.  T.  Hcrndon. 


A.   B.   SMITH 

In  another  part  of  this  volume  reference  is  made  to 
the  way  in  which  Rev.  A.  H.  Sands  wrote  out  in  com- 
monplace books,  in  a  hand  like  copperplate,  sermons, 
translations  from  the  classics,  extracts  froin  great 
authors,  and  essays  of  his  own  on  various  subjects.  In 
one  of  these  books  is  a  sketch  of  Rev.  A.  B.  Smith,  from 
which  that  which  follows  here  is  almost  wholly  taken, 
and  sometimes  word  for  word.  Mr.  Smith,  after 
graduating  at  Rochester,  filled  the  pulpit  in  Petersburg, 
and  then  was  pastor  in  Lynchburg,  succeeding  here  Rev. 
Robert  Ryland.  From  Lynchburg  he  came  to  Rich- 
mond, becoming  pastor  of  the  Fourth  Baptist  Church, 
which  worshipped  in  a  wooden  building  at  the  corner 
of  Twenty-first  and  Franklin  streets,  at  the  foot  of 
Church  Hill.  For  many  years  this  was  the  only  meeting- 
house of  the  Baptists  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  city; 
it  was  afterwards  succeeded  by  the  present  Leigh  Street 
Baptist  Church.  In  the  pastorate  of  the  Fourth  Church, 
Mr.  Smith  was  preceded  by  Elder  Duncan  R.  Campbell, 
and  succeeded  by  Elder  Edward  Kings  ford.  While  Mr. 
Smith's  labors  in  Richmond  were  earnest  and  arduous 
the  visible  fruit  was  not  great.  Everything  seemed  to 
be  against  his  success.  The  location  was  not  attractive. 
The  membership  was  small  and  lacking  in  ability  for 
extensive  usefulness.  He  had  little  outside  help,  and 
was  scarcely  cheered  by  a  single  word  of  encourage- 
ment from  others.  Doubtless  he  felt  that  he  might  be 
more  useful  elsewhere,  for  just  at  this  time,  namely  in 
1846,  a  church  having  been  organized  in  Goochland 
County,  with  the  name  Berea,  he  was  called  to  its 
pastorate.  He  went  to  work  on  this  field  with  increased 
zeal,  and  the  church  prospered  under  his  ministry.  The 
services  were  largely  attended,  and  soon  every  one  began 

288 


A.  B.  SMITH  289 

to  love  this  simple-hearted,  godly  man.  No  country 
church  in  the  State  was  more  devoted  to  their  pastor,  or 
more  regular  and  continuous  in  their  attendance,  or 
more  anxious  for  the  gospel  than  Berea.  From  the 
very  first  the  church  increased  in  numbers,  efficiency, 
and  Christian  zeal.  This  success  was  due,  under  God, 
to  the  faithful  admonitions,  earnest  sermons,  and  wise, 
godly  walk  of  its  excellent  pastor.  While  his  town 
pastorates  were  not  failures,  he  was  preeminently 
a  country  pastor.  He  had  no  city  airs  or  city  affecta- 
tions. He  presented  the  fittest  example  of  the  preacher 
as  portrayed  by  Cowper.  The  State  Mission  Report, 
for  1855,  said  that  during  the  year  his  churches  in 
Goochland  and  Henrico,  had  received  large  accessions, 
"principally  from  our  colored  population,  116  of 
whom  he  baptized."  The  report  also  states  that  a  new 
church  edifice  had  been  commenced  at  Dover,  which 
was  to  be  completed  in  July.  Later  in  his  life  he  was 
pastor  of  Taylorsville  and  Mount  Olivet  churches.  In 
this  field,  as  in  that  at  Berea  and  Hopewell,  he  was 
successful. 

Mr.  Smith  was  not  a  public  man.  He  shrank  from 
notice.  Most  of  his  work  was  for  his  churches.  At 
public  gatherings  he  was  rarely  appointed  to  preach, 
yet  few  had  a  more  exact  knowledge  of  the  Scriptures, 
or  could  enforce  their  teachings  with  greater  perspicuity 
than  he.  He  did  not  decline,  but  did  not  seek  public 
appointments.  As  an  expounder  of  Scripture  he  had 
few  equals.  At  his  ministers'  and  laymen's  meetings  he 
was  usually  called  on  to  explain  difficult  passages.  In 
his  preaching  he  rarely  took  a  text  from  the  Old  Testa- 
ment. He  made  much  of  the  w^ords  and  miracles  of  the 
Saviour.  He  managed  old  texts  in  a  surprisingly  fresh 
and  felicitous  way.  A  year  before  his  death  he  preached 
a  sermon  on  "faith."  his  text  being:  "Believe  on  the 
Lord   Jesus    Christ   and   thou    shalt   be    saved   and   thy 

10 


290         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

house."  The  topic  was  familiar,  yet,  as  he  went  on, 
there  was  not  one  in  the  audience  who  did  not  feel  that 
he  had  been  put  into  new  relations  to  the  text,  and  who 
did  not  carry  away  a  more  vivid  picture  of  the  trembling 
jailer  and  the  answering  apostles.  And  along  with  this 
pictorial  power  there  was  in  the  sermon  a  clear  and 
beautiful  analysis  of  the  elements  of  a  true,  saving, 
Christ-clasping  faith  such  as  the  apostles  had  enjoined. 
When  fully  himself  and  fully  possessed  of  his  subject, 
he  would,  at  times,  carry  his  hearers  far  beyond  their 
ordinary  range  of  thought.  Never  wanting  in  expres- 
sion, always  in  earnest,  ever  self-forgetful,  seeking  your 
good,  and  making  you  feel  that  this  was  his  single  aim, 
it  is  not  surprising  that  his  sermons  always  left  upon 
the  hearer  a  delightful  impression. 


JOHN  JOHNS 

Virginia  Baptists  have  had  many  faithful  ministers 
and  laymen  in  their  ranks,  whom  they  have  been  glad 
to  call  their  own,  who  were  born  beyond  the  borders  of 
the  Old  Dominion,  and  some  even  outside  the  United 
States.  Elder  John  Johns  belonged  to  this  latter  class, 
for  his  birthplace  was  Wellington,  Tolland  County, 
South  Wales.  At  this  place  he  first  saw  the  light, 
January  29,  1811.  When  about  nineteen  years  of  age 
he  professed  faith  in  Christ,  and,  in  1832,  was  licensed 
to  preach.  On  March  25,  1835,  he  left  Wales,  sailing 
for  the  United  States.  After  a  stormy  and  dangerous 
voyage  he  reached  New  York.  On  July  15,  1835,  he 
entered  Hamilton  Theological  Seminary,  New  York, 
and  completed  the  course  of  instruction  in  1838.  He 
now  came  to  Virginia  and  visited  Rev.  Dr.  Robert 
Ryland,  then  in  charge  of  the  Virginia  Seminary,  now 
Richmond  College.  Dr.  Ryland  describes  him  as 
"possessed  of  simple-hearted  piety,  and  of  accurate  and 
extensive  theological  culture,  but  singularly  defective  in 
common  sense  and  the  knowledge  of  the  world."  Dr. 
Ryland  and  students  from  the  college  had  supplied  the 
pulpit  of  Hephzibah  (known  also  as  Branch's)  Church, 
in  Chesterfield  County,  and  it  was  no  doubt  through  the 
influence  of  Dr.  Ryland  that,  in  1839,  Elder  Johns  be- 
came its  first  regular  pastor.  In  1841,  he  moved  to 
Amelia  County,  where  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his 
life,  serving  churches  in  his  own  and  adjacent  counties. 
Among  the  churches  that  had  him  as  pastor  were  Pow- 
hatan Church  and  Skinquarter ;  the  former  was  or- 
ganized in  1771,  and  from  July,  1856,  to  July,  1864, 
had  him  as  undershepherd.  He  was  pastor  of  Skin- 
quarter  from  March  25,  1848,  until  June  21,  1855.     He 

291 


292         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

succeeded  Elder  B.  E.  Goode,  and  was  the  first  pastor 
the  church  ever  had  who  did  not  hold  anti-missionary 
views.  In  1848,  Skinquarter  was  received  into  the 
Middle  District  Association.  During  this  period  this 
body  had  a  membership  of  about  100  white  and  250 
negro  members.  On  June  21,  1841,  he  was  married  to 
Elizabeth  C.  Chappell.  The  following  description  of 
him,  from  the  pen  of  Dr.  Jeter,  is  interesting:  "... 
In  secular  business  he  was  a  mere  child,  the  dupe  of 
every  artifice,  and  the  prey  of  every  knave.  In  the 
pulpit  he  was  a  man.  In  proportion  to  his  mental  train- 
ing, and  the  measure  of  his  religious  knowledge,  we 
have  scarcely  known  him  excelled  as  a  sermonizer.  We 
heard  him  preach  several  discourses,  when  he  was  com- 
paratively young,  with  amazement.  His  texts  were 
plain  and  familiar,  but  he  treated  them  with  a  freshness 
and  variety  that  were  really  startling.  His  remarks 
were  free  from  drollery  and  extravagance,  and  were 
notable  for  their  simplicity,  pertinency  and  force,  hav- 
ing the  appearance  of  flowing  spontaneously  from  his 
mind.  He  seemed  to  preach  by  inspiration.  We  judge, 
however,  that  he  accomplished  little  good  by  his  ministry 
compared  with  what  might  have  been  expected  from  his 
gifts.  His  want  of  knowledge  of  human  nature,  and 
his  lack  of  practical  sense,  along  with  his  marked 
oddities,  counteracted  to  a  considerable  extent  his  pulpit 
influence."  His  labors  were  brought  to  a  sudden  close, 
as  he  was  rendered  a  helpless  sufferer  by  paralysis.  A 
final  stroke  ended  his  life,  July  24,  1878. 


JAMES  FENDALL  PARKINSON 

Mrs.  Hemans,  in  her  poem  ''The  Homes  of  England," 
says : 

"The  stately  homes  of  England, 

How  beautiful  they  stand, 
Amidst  their  tall  ancestral  trees. 
O'er  all  the  pleasant  land !" 

Virginia,  in  so  many  ways  like  England,  has  many  such 
homes,  and  "Oak  Spring,"  in  New  Kent  County,  since 
Revolutionary  days  the  home  of  the  Parkinson  family, 
recalls  the  poet's  lines.  The  place  took  its  name  from  a 
splendid  oak  which  shades  a  generous  spring.  The 
house,  which  was  built  before  the  Revolutionary  War, 
stands  on  a  slight  elevation,  and  not  far  away  are 
numerous  poplar  trees.  In  all  these  years  many  stories 
of  romance  and  adventure  have  gathered  around  this 
Virginia  country  home.  During  the  Revolutionary  War 
two  sons  of  the  family  were  at  home  on  furlough  when 
suddenly  numerous  "red  coats"  appeared,  who  demanded 
the  keys  of  the  smoke  house.  Down  from  the  "long 
room"  the  soldier  boys  came,  and,  with  sticks  as  their 
only  weapons,  arrested  the  British  soldiers.  At  "Oak 
Spring"  James  Fendall  Parkinson  was  born  May  9, 
1814.  Here  he  spent  his  life  and  here  he  died.  He  was 
the  third  son  of  Joseph  and  Ellie  Parkinson.  His  mother 
was  left  a  widow  at  the  early  age  of  thirty,  but  she 
managed  her  plantation  with  such  remarkable  ability  that 
she  succeeded  in  giving  her  children  a  good  education. 
Upon  a  horse  of  pony  build,  she  rode  over  the  place  from 
day  to  day  giving  directions  as  to  how  the  work  of  the 
farm  was  to  be  done.  Her  son  James,  after  having 
attended  preparatory  schools  near  home,  entered  the 
Virginia   Baptist   Seminary,   now   known   as   Richmond 

293 


294         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

College.  Here  he  gave  his  especial  attention  to  mathe- 
matics and  surveying,  though  the  classics  were  not 
neglected,  as  he  desired  to  fit  himself  for  the  position  of 
county  surveyor.  This  position,  his  father,  a  graduate 
of  William  and  Mary  College,  had  filled.  For  some 
years  after  leaving  the  College,  Mr.  Parkinson  was  a 
most  successful  teacher,  and  the  accurate  county  sur- 
veyor. He  was  noted  for  his  strict  sense  of  honor  and 
possessed  in  the  highest  degree  the  confidence  of  all 
classes  of  people. 

At  a  camp-meeting  held  at  Emmaus  Baptist  Church, 
New  Kent  County,  when  Elders  John  Kerr  and  J.  B. 
Jeter  were  the  chief  preachers,  Mr.  Parkinson  made  a 
profession  of  his  faith  in  Christ,  and  was  baptized  into 
the  fellowship  of  this  church.  While  a  consistent  mem- 
ber of  the  church  from  the  time  of  his  baptism  onward, 
it  was  some  years  before  he  gave  himself  to  the  gospel 
ministry.  When  this  step  had  been  taken  his  first 
pastorate  was  at  North  Run  Church,  near  Richmond. 
Later  he  became  the  pastor  of  Emmaus,  his  mother 
church,  but  the  greater,  and  what  he  considered  the  most 
useful,  part  of  his  ministry  was  given  to  Black  Creek 
Church,  in  Hanover  County,  and  to  Hopewell  Church, 
in  New  Kent  County.  These  two  churches,  the  former 
twelve  miles  and  the  latter  eight  miles  from  his  home 
(New  Kent  and  Hanover  are  adjoining  counties),  he 
served  for  almost  a  quarter  of  a  century,  and  at  the  time 
of  his  death  there  were  not  more  than  two  or  three  per- 
sons in  either  church  who  had  not  been  received  or 
baptized  by  him.  With  loyal  devotion  the  welfare  of 
these  churches  was  among  his  last  thoughts.  As  a 
preacher,  he  was  earnest,  pointed,  practical.  He  preached 
Christ  crucified,  and  his  hearers  always  felt  that  the 
truth  he  proclaimed  was  very  precious  to  his  own  souL 
As  a  winner  of  souls  he  was  successful  in  a  high  degree, 
and  as  a  pastor  he  was  faithful  and  devoted.     He  was  a 


JAMES  FENDALL  PARKINSON  295 

most  useful  man  in  his  community,  loved  and  trusted  by 
all  who  knew  him,  and  his  advice  was  sought  by  those 
who  were  troubled  or  in  perplexity.  He  was  the  peace- 
maker of  the  community,  and  on  his  own  plantation  had 
the  affection  of  his  slaves,  to  whom  he  was  kind  and 
generous. 

In  1840,  Mr.  Parkinson  was  married  to  Miss  Hannah 
Williams,  daughter  of  Mr.  Jesse  Williams,  of  Richmond, 
Va.  Her  death,  on  the  fourteenth  anniversary  of  their 
marriage,  left  him  with  six  little  children.  In  1857,  he 
was  married  to  Miss  Maria  Louise  Cocke,  a  daughter  of 
James  and  Elizabeth  Cocke,  of  King  William  County. 
The  only  child  of  this  second  marriage  was  a  daughter. 
The  period  of  the  Civil  War  and  the  Reconstruction  days 
that  followed  was  a  peculiarly  trying  time  to  the  section 
of  Virginia  where  Mr.  Parkinson  lived,  and  he  did  not 
escape  the  stress  and  strain  of  those  awful  years.  His 
sons  went  forth  with  their  country's  army,  one  of  them 
serving  all  through  the  War  as  a  scout  under  General 
J.  E.  B.  Stuart.  Mr.  Parkinson  rendered  most  valuable 
service  to  his  community  by  teaching  his  neighbors'  sons, 
who  otherwise  would  have  been  deprived  of  school  ad- 
vantages, for  it  is  too  true  that  letters  no  less  than  laws 
suffer  when  war  appears ;  inter  arma  silent  leges.  When 
the  cruel  conflict  was  over  "Oak  Spring,"  along  with 
other  Virginia  homes,  was  in  a  devastated  condition,  but 
Mr.  Parkinson,  with  brave  and  dauntless  heart,  set  out, 
aided  by  his  sons,  to  cultivate  his  farm,  guiding  with  his 
own  hands,  when  it  was  necessary,  the  plow.  This 
severe  manual  labor,  to  which  he  was  not  accustomed, 
doubtless  shortened  his  days.  Mr.  Parkinson  was  by 
inclination  and  habit  a  student  rather  than  a  farmer. 
His  leisure  moments  found  him  holding  converse  with 
the  great  spirits  of  the  world  through  their  writings.  It 
was  the  normal  thing  to  see  him  with  a  book  in  his  hand. 
Yet  when  the  necessity  came  upon  him  he  kept  up  his 


296         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

farm,  and  gave  especial  care  to  his  apple  orchard.  As 
his  sons  grew  up  he  sought  to  see  them  well  started  in 
life.  For  one  he  accepted  a  place  in  a  Richmond  tobacco 
warehouse.  After  a  week  or  so,  however,  the  youth 
returned,  having  ridden  home  on  a  passing  wagon.  He 
said  that  he  could  not  stand  the  confusion  of  the  city, 
and  that  he  would  choose  the  country  even  if  it  meant 
poverty.  As  the  position  offered  was  too  good  an  oppor- 
tunity to  be  lost,  Mr.  Parkinson  sent  another  son  to  take 
it,  and  he  is  now  one  of  Richmond's  most  prosperous 
citizens. 

This  record  of  Mr.  Parkinson's  life  sufficiently  shows 
the  spirit  of  the  man,  and  makes  any  attempt  to  further 
set  forth  his  character  unnecessary.  Yet  one  other  state- 
ment about  him,  at  once  interesting  and  inspiring,  should 
be  made.  As  a  boy  he  is  said  to  have  had  a  most  violent 
temper,  but  before  his  riper  years  were  past  he  had  come 
to  have  such  complete  control  over  himself  in  this  regard 
that  those  who  did  not  know  him  in  his  younger  days 
little  dreamed  of  the  fire  that  once  was  quick  to  burst 
forth.  Yet  he  had  not  lost  spirit,  for  upon  occasion  he 
could  be  most  positive  and  emphatic.  His  life  was  his 
best  preparation  for  death,  yet  during  his  last  illness  he 
gave  most  emphatic  evidence  of  his  firm  trust  in  his 
Redeemer,  and  of  his  entire  resignation  to  God's  will. 
On  September  6,  1880,  he  fell  on  sleep.  His  wife  fol- 
lowed him  to  the  grave  February  5,  1893,  and  her  body 
sleeps  beneath  the  sod  in  the  beautiful  Hollins  cemetery. 


ALEXANDER   BARLOW* 

Away  back  in  the  long  ago  there  Hved  in  the  slashes 
of  Hanover  a  tall,  large-boned,  muscular  man,  with 
large,  blue  eyes,  high  cheek  bones,  expansive  forehead, 
light  hair,  fair  skin,  who  was  a  Baptist  minister,  by  the 
name  of  Alexander  Barlow.  He  was  of  humble  parent- 
age, limited  education,  and  sought  his  associations 
among  the  humble  poor.  When  he  was  born,  when  con- 
verted, and  when  baptized,  and  by  whom,  I  have  sought 
in  vain  to  learn  from  a  surviving  daughter,  still  living 
near  Ashland,  Hanover  County,  Virginia.  I  first 
learned  of  him  in  the  Forks  of  Hanover  about  the  year 
1830.  He  came  into  the  neighborhood  of  where  Hew- 
lett's Station  (Chesapeake  and  Ohio  Railway)  now 
stands,  and  commenced  preaching  in  the  groves.  My 
dear  departed  friend,  Alfred  Duke,  Esq.,  informed  me 
that  the  impression  he  made  and  the  sensation  he  created 
were  indescribable.  Thousands  flocked  to  hear  him  and 
nimibers  were  baptized.  But  few  knew  anything  of  the 
Baptists  in  that  section,  and  on  baptismal  occasions,  in 
Little  River,  the  crowds  which  collected  were  immense. 
And  so  eager  were  they  to  witness  the  ceremony  that 
hundreds  would  climb  into  the  trees  on  the  river's  bank, 
until  the  limbs  would  dip  into  the  water.  He  soon 
organized  a  church  called  Beaver  Dam,  on  the  site  now 
occupied  by  Elon.  Many  of  the  best  citizens  became 
members,  among  whom  may  be  mentioned  Parson  Nel- 
son, as  he  was  called;  the  great  scholar,  his  son-in-law, 
Thomas  Owen;  John  T.  and  Harrod  Anderson,  and 
the  saintly  Gennette  Anderson.  At  one  time  this  church 
had  a  membership  of  between  three  and  five  hundred. 

*Rcligious  Herald,  April  27,  1893. 

297 


298         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

He,  also,  about  the  same  time,  organized  a  church  near 
Green  Bay,  some  eight  or  ten  miles  above,  called  Goshen. 
Mr.  Barlow  was  a  man  of  indomitable  energy  and  un- 
bending will.  He  introduced  woman  suffrage  into  the 
general  discipline  of  both  these  churches,  and,  exercis- 
ing a  most  pervasive  influence  over  his  weaker  member- 
ship, and  himself  entertaining,  at  times,  views  of  church 
policy  at  variance  with  the  views  of  his  most  intelligent 
and  substantial  male  members,  he  always  carried  his 
point.  The  result  was  that  one  after  another  of  this 
latter  class  obtained  letters  of  dismission  and  joined 
churches  in  the  vicinity  or  in  the  far  West,  where 
many  went  in  the  great  Hegira  of  1832.  The  result 
was  that  these  churches  dwindled  in  numbers  and 
influence,  and  Goshen  became  extinct.  Mr.  Barlow  con- 
tinued to  preach  occasionally  at  Beaver  Dam  until  1856, 
walking  eighteen  miles  to  fill  his  appointment.  He  con- 
tinued to  preach  occasionally  in  the  slashes  of  Hanover, 
and  four  or  five  times  at  Elon,  until  some  time  near 
1880,  when  he  died.  Mr.  Barlow  was  a  preacher  of 
unusual  power.  Mr.  Duke  told  me  that  so  impressive 
were  his  sermons  in  the  early  years  of  his  ministry  that 
he  heard  a  gentleman  of  high  intelligence  and  finished 
education  say:  "If  Brother  Barlow  and  the  Apostle 
Paul  were  to  preach  at  opposite  points,  equi-distant  from 
him  on  the  same  day  and  hour,  it  would  be  a  difficult 
matter  for  him  to  decide  which  he  would  go  to  hear." 
This,  no  doubt,  was  an  enthusiastic  outburst  imme- 
diately after  hearing  one  of  his  best  discourses.  I  have 
heard  him  several  times  when  he  was  an  old  man.  And 
while  I  heard  him  on  a  few  occasions  make  humiliating 
failures,  when  he  was  sick  and  fatigued,  I  heard  him 
when  he  was  in  good  trim  preach  with  great  power 
and  attractiveness.  I  never  heard  any  preacher  who 
could  quote  the  Scriptures  with  such  accuracy  and 
facility  as  he  did.     I  am  sure  four-fifths  of  his  sennons 


ALEXANDER  BARLOW  299 

were  composed  of  Scripture  quotations.  He  would  an- 
nounce his  text,  generally  involving  some  doctrinal  sub- 
ject; divide  it  into  three  general  heads,  each  of  which 
contained  three  or  four  problems  which  required  demon- 
stration. These  he  would  affirm  or  deny,  as  the  case 
might  be,  and  then  proceed  with  his  work.  To  prove 
his  declarations  he  would  quote  appropriate  passages  of 
Scripture,  often  running  from  book  to  book  in  the  Old 
and  New  Testament,  giving  chapter,  verse,  and  clause. 
On  one  occasion  I  noted  some  eighty  quotations,  and 
referring  to  the  Bible  when  I  returned  home,  I  found 
his  quotations  accurate  in  all  respects.  His  discourses 
were  didactic,  logical,  and  replete  with  pathos.  At  the 
conclusion  of  his  pulpit  work  he  would  descend  to  the 
floor  and  strike  either  "When  I  can  read  my  title  clear," 
or  "J^'^usalem,  my  happy  home,"  and  go  through  the 
congregation  shaking  hands.  In  singing  the  latter 
hymn,  when  he  reached  the  last  verse,  the  enthusiasm 
seemed  to  rise  to  an  exalted  pitch,  the  veins  in  the  old 
man's  forehead  and  neck  would  sw^ell  almost  to  burst- 
ing, while  the  tears  from  his  large,  blue  eyes,  and  his 
tremulous  voice  awakened  a  sympathetic  thrill  through- 
out the  congregation.  His  eccentricities  and  humble 
associations  provoked  often  severe  criticism  and  un- 
friendly acts  on  the  part  of  many  of  his  brethren,  and 
cast  a  shade  over  the  latter  years  of  his  life;  but  an 
Episcopalian  minister,  who  knew  him  well  and  long,  and 
had  heard  many  unkind  remarks  concerning  him,  told 
the  writer  that  no  one  could  induce  him  to  believe  that 
any  one  who  would  walk  eighteen  miles  to  preach  to  a 
congregation  of  poor  people  for  many  years,  was  not  a 
devout  Christian  man.  But  his  work  is  ended,  his  weary 
limbs  rest  in  the  silent  grave  in  his  beloved  slashes  of 
Hanover,  and  his  spirit  has  gone  to  receive  its  reward 
at  the  judgment  seat  of  God;  and  while  we  would  for- 
give  and    forget   his    faults,    whatever    they    were,    we 


300         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

would  remember  and  revere  his  labors  of  love  in  his 
Master's  vineyard,  while  toiling  at  his  carpenter's  bench 
for  a  meager  livelihood.  Sleep  on,  old  soldier !  the 
shadows  and  sorrows  which  gloomed  thy  pathway  in 
life  are  all  dissipated,  and  we  reverently  believe  you 
have  entered  into  the  rest  prepared  for  the  people  of 
God. 

"When  you've  been  there  ten  thousand  years, 

Bright  shining  as  the  sun, 
You'll  have  no  less  days  to  sing  God's  praise 
Than  when  you  first  begun." 

L.  B.  Anderson. 


JEREMIAH  BELL  JETER 

Jeremiah  Bell  Jeter  was  born  in  Bedford  County, 
Virginia,  July  18,  1802.  He  first  saw  the  light  in  the 
home  of  his  maternal  grandfather.  The  house  was  "a 
frame  building,  one  story  and  a  half  in  height,  with 
shingle  roof  and  stone  chimneys.  It  had  four  main 
rooms,  with  small  windows,  and  doors  high  from  the 
ground  and  approached  by  block  steps.  It  never  knew 
the  refining  touch  of  paint,  and  as  a  consequence  pre- 
sented to  the  eye  of  the  stranger  a  weather-beaten  and 
neglected  appearance.  But  it  was  not  without  its  attrac- 
tive features.  It  was  delightfully  situated  on  an  ele- 
vated plain,  and,  with  its  blue-grass  turf,  its  rows  of 
locusts,  its  mammoth  old  acorn  tree,  its  adjacent  garden 
of  roses  and  lilacs,  and  its  great  orchard,  it  made  an 
enchanting  picture  as  it  nestled  near  the  base  of  the 
Piney  Mountain."  His  father  was  Pleasant  Jeter,  one 
of  ten  children,  an  uncultivated,  vacillating,  improvi- 
dent man,  or,  as  his  distinguished  son  described 
him,  "remarkable  for  nothing  except  bad  management 
in  his  secular  affairs  and  air-castle  building."  His 
mother's  maiden  name  was  Jane  Eke  Hatcher.  She 
never  united  with  the  church,  although  she  exerted  a 
potent  religious  influence  over  her  children.  Before  she 
passed  the  meridian  of  life  her  spirit  took  its  flight  from 
a  body  that  had  always  been  frail.  Her  oldest  son, 
Jeremiah,  made  it  a  rule  to  come  home  at  least  once  a 
year  to  see  his  mother.  Her  father,  after  whom  this 
son  was  named,  was  Jeremiah  Hatcher,  a  Baptist 
preacher,  whose  ministry  was  spent  in  eastern  Virginia, 
Tomahawk  Church,  in  Chesterfield  County,  having  been 
one  of  his  churches.  The  maiden  name  of  his  paternal 
grandmother  furnished  Mr.  Jeter  with  his  middle  name. 

301 


302         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

This  grandmother  was  ninety-six  years  old  at  the  time 
of  her  death.  She  kept  for  a  long  time  a  register  of  her 
descendants,  who,  at  the  time  of  her  death,  she  judged 
numbered  300.  Shortly  after  this  event  young  Jeter 
had  125  living  first  cousins,  eighty  of  whom  were  her 
descendants.  The  Jeters  were  probably  of  Huguenot 
extraction.  In  his  later  years,  Mr.  Jeter  used  to  say 
half  jocularly  that  the  French  word  "jeter"  meant  to 
throw,  and  that  he  doubted  not  but  what  his  ancestors 
were  a  race  of  slingers. 

From  his  own  pen  we  have  charming  pictures  of  the 
scenes  and  customs  in  Mr.  Jeter's  early  days.  His  life 
covered  the  eventful  period  of  over  three-quarters  of  the 
nineteenth  century.  Dr.  J.  L.  M.  Curry  writes:  "When 
Dr.  Jeter  was  born  there  were  no  railways,  no  steam- 
boats, no  phonographs,  no  magnificent  system  of  teleg- 
raphy and  telephony,  no  McCormick  reapers,  no 
lucifier  matches,  no  breech-loading  guns,  no  dynamite." 
Nor  were  there  any  Sunday  schools.  The  day  schools 
were  crude.  Dram  drinking  was  most  common.  There 
was  little  variety  in  preaching  and  every  preacher  was 
a  polemic.  It  was  the  day  of  "musters,"  "corn-shuck- 
ings,"  and  "log-rollings."  When  he  went  to  school 
Webster's  spelling-book  was  just  coming  into  use, 
Walker's  Dictionary  was  in  service,  and  the  scholars 
were  required  to  commit  to  memory  large  parts  of 
Murray's  Grammar.  One  of  his  teachers,  whom  he 
always  gratefully  remembered,  was  one  Lewis  Parker, 
"who  thirsted  for  knowledge"  and  "paid  attention  to 
accent,  emphasis,  and  punctuation  in  his  instruction." 
To  turn  the  teacher  out  seems  to  have  been  a  common 
event  in  those  days,  and  the  origin  of  the  strange  term 
of  contempt,  "school  butter,"  was  even  in  that  day  un- 
known. Young  Jeter  decided  to  disregard  the  fashion 
of  his  day  and  give  up  the  use  of  strong  drink.  This 
resolve,  made  when  he  was  a  mere  lad,  was  kept  until 


JEREMIAH  BELL  JETER  303 

after  his  conversion  in  his  twentieth  year,  when,  judg- 
ing that  the  gospel  made  him  free,  he  took  some  drinks. 
In  a  short  time,  however,  and  wnth  his  friend  Daniel 
Witt,  he  took  the  pledge  "to  abstain,  during  the  re- 
mainder of  our  lives  from  the  use  of  intoxicating  liquor 
as  a  beverage,  and  to  use  it  only  as  a  medicine  if  at  all." 
That  pledge  was  sacredly  kept.  When  he  was  a  young 
man,  hunting  was  a  favorite  occupation,  and  in  Bedford 
squirrels,  hares,  partridges,  ducks,  wild  turkeys,  opos- 
sums, raccoons,  deer,  and  bears  were  common.  But,  as 
the  following  story  shows,  he  was  undistinguished  in 
hunting  and  shooting:  "The  first  time  I  was  trusted 
with  a  gun  I  came  upon  a  squirrel  standing  in  a  path  a 
few  steps  from  me,  nibbling  an  ear  of  corn  which  he 
had  feloniously  taken  from  a  contiguous  field.  I  was 
seized  with  an  instant  tremor.  After  hasty  considera- 
tion my  plan  of  assault  was  laid.  I  ran  at  the  thief  to 
drive  him  up  a  tree  and  succeeded  admirably.  He 
climbed  a  tall  oak,  thickly  covered  with  boughs,  and  I 
saw  him  no  more.  It  was  fully  six  months  before  it 
occurred  to  me  that  I  might  have  shot  him  on  the 
ground." 

Mr.  Jeter's  own  pen  has  told  in  full  the  story  of  his 
conversion.  Greatly  abridged  here  it  is  in  his  own 
words :  "  'Experience,'  as  it  was  generally  called,  oc- 
cupied a  much  more  prominent  place  in  sermons  and  in 
religious  conversation  fifty  years  ago  than  it  does  now. 
I  had  an  experience.  ...  I  was  brought 
up  without  special  religious  instruction.  ...  In  my 
boyhood  I  cherished  the  hope  that  in  due  time  I  would 
be  converted.  ...  I  remember  distinctly  the  first 
prayer  that  I  ever  uttered.  It  was  in  the  summer  of 
1819.  .  .  .  As  I  was  plowing  alone  my  thoughts 
were  suddenly  arrested  by  the  presence  and  majesty  of 
God.  I  was  overwhelmed  with  awe,  and  falling  on  my 
knees  pleaded  with  God  for  mercy.     .     .     .     For  days 


304         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

I  went  with  a  downcast  countenance.  .  .  .  For 
several  weeks  I  carefully  concealed  my  emotions,  but 
continued  to  pray  for  Divine  aid.  In  this  time  I  be- 
came quite  self-righteous.  .  .  .  In  a  few  weeks  my 
impressions  were  effaced  and  my  fair  resolutions  were 
abandoned.  ...  I  have  referred  ...  to  the 
revival  which  commenced  in  my  neighborhood  in  the 
year  1821.  In  the  early  summer  I  attended  a  Sabbath 
service  at  Suck  Spring  Baptist  Meeting  House.  .  .  . 
It  was  communion  season.  ...  At  first  I  amused 
myself  with  a  young  lady  of  my  acquaintance,  who  was 
looking  gravely  on  the  scene.  Soon  my  own  attention 
was  arrested  by  it  and  I  burst  into  an  irrepressible  flood 
of  tears.  .  .  .  This  was  the  commencement  of  my 
second  effort  to  become  a  Christian.  I  betook  myself  to 
reading  the  Scriptures,  meditation,  and  prayer.  In  a 
few  days  I  attended  the  burial  of  a  young  man  I  had 
known.  .  .  .  The  eyes  and  mouth  of  the  corpse 
were  stretched  wide  open,  and  neither  force  nor  skill 
could  close  them.  The  unfortunate  death  of  the  young 
man,  and  the  horrid  appearance  of  his  ghastly  face 
made  a  deep  impression  on  my  nervous  system  that  had 
been  weakened  by  anxiety  and  sleeplessness. 
I  deliberately  came  to  the  conclusion  that,  to  get  rid  of 
my  nervous  trouble,  I  must  suppress  my  religious  con- 
victions, and,  for  the  present,  at  any  rate,  abandon  all 
hope  of  salvation.  .  .  .  Here  ends  the  second 
chapter  in  my  religious  experience.  ...  I  have 
given  a  pretty  full  account  of  the  commencement  of  the 
great  revival  at  Hatcher's  Meeting  House,  in  August, 
1821.  .  .  .  Sunday  morning  we  [Daniel  Witt  and 
Mr.  Jeter]  rode  together  to  church.  .  .  .  The 
services  continued  till  late  in  the  afternoon.  When  I 
raised  my  head  and  opened  my  eyes  I  was  astonished 
to  find  that  all  the  congregation  excepting  a  few  of  my 
friends  were  ^one.     Even     .     ,     .     Witt     .     .     .     had 


JEREMIAH  BELL  JETER  305 

left  an  hour  or  two  before.  My  purpose  to  become  a 
Christian  was  now  fixed.  ...  It  was  not  merely 
my  purpose  to  enter  the  kingdom  of  heaven,  but  to  out- 
strip all  my  associates  in  the  celestial  race. 
My  aim  was  to  become  good  enough  for  Christ  to  re- 
ceive me.  ...  A  short  time  after  the  memorable 
meeting  at  Hatcher's  Meeting  House  there  was  an  ap- 
pointment for  a  night  service  in  the  neighborhood  of 
my  abode.  There  was  a  crowded  house.  Of  the  ser- 
mon I  recollect  nothing.  At  the  close  of  it  the  minister 
said:  Tf  any  person  desires  prayer,  let  him  manifest 
it  and  I  will  pray  for  him.'  .  .  .  The  struggle  was 
short.  In  a  few  moments  I  said  distinctly:  Tray  for 
me.'  I  have  said  many  things  since  which  I  have  had 
cause  to  regret,  but  I  have  never  been  sorry  that  I  made 
that  request.  ...  I  left  the  house  with  far  less 
hope  of  salvation  than  I  had  when  I  entered  it.  A  few 
weeks  later  another  night  meeting  was  appointed  at  the 
same  place.  .  .  .  The  meeting  w-as  crowded  and 
the  religious  excitement  was  intense.  Among  the 
inquirers  was  a  rough,  uncouth,  and  ignorant  lad  named 
Bill  Carter.  Occupying  a  prominent  position  he  opened 
wide  his  mouth  and  roared  like  a  lion.  The  scene  was 
indescribably  ludicrous,  and,  in  spite  of  the  solemnity 
of  the  occasion  and  my  deep  concern  for  my  salvation, 
I  burst  into  an  uncontrollable  fit  of  laughter. 
After  weeks  of  anxiety,  watchfulness,  prayer,  and 
mourning  I  seemed  to  be  much  further  from  salvation 
than  I  was  at  the  first.  .  .  .  About  this  time,  hear- 
ing of  the  conversion  of  a  young  female  friend,  who 
was  awakened  some  weeks  after  I  was,  it  seemed  a 
reasonable  conclusion  that  I  had  missed  the  road  to 
heaven.  .  .  .  About  two  months  after  the  memor- 
able meeting  at  Hatcher's  Meeting  House,  I  attended  a 
night  meeting  in  a  private  house  near  the  same  place. 
A  song  was  sung     ...     it  made  an  indelible 


306         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

impression  on  my  mind.  .  .  .  Is  it  possible,  I  in- 
quired, that  the  Son  of  God  suffered  and  died  for  such 
a  corrupt  and  guilty  creature  as  I  am?  .  .  .  One 
point  was  settled  ...  I  would  sin  no  more  if 
watchfulness,  prayer,  and  an  earnest  purpose  could 
preserve  me  from  sinning.  .  .  .  As  instructed  by 
one  of  my  religious  guides,  the  Rev.  William  Leftwich, 
I  had  often  attempted  to  adopt  the  words  of  the  father 
of  the  demoniac  child :  'Lord,  I  believe ;  help  thou  my 
unbelief.'  .  .  .  The  sentence  invariably  changed  in 
my  lips  to :  'Lord,  I  would  believe ;  help  thou  my  un- 
belief.' ...  I  feared  that  I  did  not  believe,  and 
my  words  were  deceitful.  .  .  .  After  all  my  doubts 
and  reasoning,  the  impression  came  over  me  that  I  did 
believe,  and  I  repeated  the  words  with  emphasis :  'Lord, 
I  do  believe;  help  thou  my  unbelief.'  The  burden  of 
guilt  and  anxiety,  which  I  had  borne  so  long,  instantly 
departed.  My  mind  was  in  a  calm,  pleasing  frame, 
which  to  me  was  inexplicable,  and  which  I  was  not  care- 
ful to  analyze.  .  .  .  No  wave  of  trouble  rolled 
across  my  peaceful  breast.  ...  I  strolled  to  a 
retired  spot,  at  the  head  of  a  ravine,  where  I  might 
engage  in  secret  prayer.  .  .  .  Till  then  I  had  never 
offered  a  petition  for  any  being  but  myself.  This  morn- 
ing I  prayed  for  my  parents,  my  brothers  and  sisters, 
my  remoter  kindred,  my  friends,  and  I  continued  to 
extend  the  circle  of  my  intercession  until  it  compre- 
hended the  whole  world.  ...  As  I  returned  to  the 
house  ...  I  met  Elder  Harris.  ...  I  told 
him  as  well  as  I  could  the  exercises  of  my  mind  as 
stated  above.  'You  are  converted,'  said  he.  This  was 
a  revelation  to  me.  I  had  not  even  suspected  that  I  was 
converted.  ...  I  had  heard  no  voice,  seen  no 
light,  felt  no  shock,  and  had  no  strange  manifestation. 
I  was  willing,  aye,  and  resolved,  to  forsake  my  sins  and 
serve  Christ ;    but  conversion  must  be  something  more 


JEREMIAH  BELL  JETER  307 

wonderful  than  this.  .  .  .  Elder  Harris  com- 
menced and  related  to  me  his  experience.  It  bore  a 
striking  resemblance  to  my  own.  Of  the  genuineness 
of  his  conversion  I  had  no  doubt.  .  .  .  The  grati- 
tude, hope,  and  joy  of  my  heart  broke  out  in  smiles  and 
tears,  as  I  met  the  pious  friends  who  had  so  long 
sympathized  with  me  and  prayed  for  me. 
More  than  half  a  century  has  passed  since  I  had  the 
experience  that  I  have  imperfectly  related. 
Much  of  my  experience  was  circumstantial  and  non- 
essential .  .  .  but  in  its  chief  elements  I  deem  it 
to  be  sound  and  evangelical.  .  .  .  Conviction  for 
sin,  godly  sorrow,  reformation,  despair  of  salavation 
by  works,  trust  in  Christ,  love  to  Him,  joy  in  the  Holy 
Ghost — in  short  an  experience  which  comprehends  the 
struggles  of  a  soul  in  passing  from  death  unto  life — are 
indispensable  to  the  existence  of  genuine  piety,  and  a 
reasonable  hope  of  eternal  life." 

Mr.  Jeter  "glided  into  the  ministry."  As  a  youth,  it 
had  been  his  custom,  as  he  plowed  on  Monday,  to  preach 
over,  intonations  and  all,  the  sermon  he  had  heard  the 
day  before.  After  his  conversion  he  had  no  hesitation 
about  the  church  to  join.  When  a  boy,  having  heard 
much  discussion  about  baptism,  he  was  reading  one  day, 
the  story  in  Acts,  of  Philip  and  the  eunuch.  With  great 
delight  he  ran  to  his  mother,  exclaiming:  "The  Baptists 
are  right,"  thinking  that  the  chapter  he  was  reading  was 
a  new  discovery  of  his.  As  he  came  out  of  the  river 
after  his  baptism,  the  first  Lord's  Day,  December,  1821, 
he  made  an  exhortation.  So  his  ministry  began.  The 
following  month  his  "bishop"  called  on  him  to  preach, 
and  he  did  so  at  short  notice.  The  next  day  he  preached 
again,  and  so  well  as  to  lead  to  overconfidence,  which 
made  his  third  effort  a  humiliating  failure.  Thus  from 
time  to  time  he  preached,  having,  as  an  evidence  of  his 
call  to  the  ministry,  Iiis  great  desire  for  this  work.     For 


308         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

some  time  after  thus  commencing  his  ministry  he  was 
without  any  regular  charge  or  field.  He  and  Daniel 
Witt,  who  had  come  to  be  a  perfect  David  and  Jonathan, 
began  to  preach  from  place  to  place  in  their  native 
county.  They  were  young,  and  a  deep  religious  move- 
ment had  recently  taken  place,  nor  were  they  lacking  in 
ability,  and  they  did  not  lack  for  hearers.  vSoon  their 
labors  extended  to  Franklin,  Pittsylvania,  Botetourt, 
Campbell,  and  Amherst.  They  preached  at  each  place, 
two  sermons  in  the  day  and  one  at  night,  and  then 
moved  on.  At  first,  the  one  who  preached  first  had  the 
advantage,  as  he  had  the  whole  extent  of  their  theologi- 
cal knowledge  to  range  over.  Jeter  described  Witt  as 
pulling  of¥  his  coat  and  rolling  up  his  sleeves  by  way  of 
preparation  for  the  sermon.  After  the  first  meeting  of 
the  General  Association,  in  Richmond,  June,  1823, 
these  two  young  men.  having  had  an  interview,  at 
Bruington,  King  and  Queen  County,  with  Dr.  R.  B. 
Semple,  were  appointed  as  the  Association's  first  mis- 
sionaries. Their  instructions  were  written  out  in  the 
beautiful  chirography  of  Rev.  A.  Broaddus.  From 
Bedford  they  went  first  to  the  meeting  of  the  New  River 
Association,  in  Grayson  County,  and  then  on  through 
Wythe,  Giles,  Monroe,  Greenbrier,  Pocahontas,  Bath, 
Alleghany,  Botetourt,  preaching  in  court-houses,  school 
houses,  and  private  residences.  After  some  months  of 
this  work  they  returned  to  King  and  Queen  County,  and 
rendered  an  account  of  their  labors. 

About  this  time  there  came  to  these  young  men, 
through  the  distinguished  Luther  Rice,  the  offer  of 
college  privileges,  but,  upon  advice  of  their  older 
brethren  in  the  ministry,  it  was  declined.  Upon  the 
invitation  of  Elder  Nathaniel  Chambliss,  Mr.  Jeter  made 
Sussex  County  his  headquarters,  and  Greenesville,  Bruns- 
wick, Lunenburg,  Dinwiddie,  Prince  George,  Surry, 
Southampton,  Isle  of  Wight,  and  yet  other  counties  his 


JEREMIAH  BELL  JETER  309 

field  of  labor.  He  worked  now  for  the  General  Asso- 
ciation, and  now  as  an  independent  evangelist.  At  the 
home  of  Elder  Chambliss,  where  he  was  treated  as  a 
son,  he  made  good  use  of  a  small,  but  well-selected, 
library,  reading  Dwight's  Theology,  Mosheim's  Church 
History,  and  many  other  volumes  of  real  value.  On 
May  4,  1824,  he  was  ordained  to  the  gospel  ministry, 
at  the  High  Hills  Meeting  House,  Elders  Nathaniel 
Chambliss  and  John  D.  Williams  forming  the  Pres- 
bytery. 

From  Sussex  he  went  to  Campbell  County  to  preach 
at  Hill's  Creek  and  Union  Hill,  and  also  at  the  Grove 
and  Red  House.  During  the  winter  of  1826-27,  he 
boarded  in  the  family  of  Mr.  Thomas  Hamlet,  in  the 
western  end  of  the  county.  It  was  an  extremely  cold 
winter,  ice  being  more  than  a  foot  thick  on  the  ponds. 
One  day  he  set  out  for  his  appointment,  but  it  was  so 
cold  he  turned  back.  Then  he  started  again.  Five  times 
he  turned  back,  but  finally  persevered,  and  as  a  result 
of  the  sermon  a  young  lady  from  a  remote  part  of  the 
county,  where  Baptists  were  little  known,  was  con- 
verted, and  subsequently  baptized.  During  his  sojourn 
in  Campbell  he  was  married  to  Miss  Margaret  P. 
Waddy,  of  Northumberland  County,  on  October  5, 
1826,  his  bosom  friend,  Daniel  Witt,  performing  the 
ceremony.  His  bride  was  "of  slender  frame  and  frail 
constitution,  and  in  a  few  months  she  fell  suddenly  sick, 
and  soon  after  sank  to  her  grave.  .  .  .  Her  death 
overwhelmed  him  with  sorrow,  and  he  lamented  her  loss 
with  great  bitterness  of  soul."  His  sojourn  in  Camp- 
bell was  "the  most  unproductive  and  discouraging  part 
of  his  entire  ministerial  life.  He  left  the  field  with  a 
poignant  sense  of  failure.  .  .  .  It  is  certain  that 
he  exaggerated  his  failure.  It  was  not  so  complete  as 
in  his  mortification  he  imagined." 

The  next  nine  years  of  his  Hfe  were  spent  in  the 
Northern    Neck    of   Virginia,    as    pastor   of    Morattico 


310         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

Baptist  Church,  Lancaster  County.  Before  going  to 
Campbell  this  field  had  called  him.  As  early  as  1825,  he 
had  visited  this  section  of  the  State,  having  ridden 
hither  from  Richmond  on  horseback,  with  Addison 
Hall,  then  a  member  of  the  Legislature,  setting  out  on 
Christmas  morning.  The  Wicomico  Church  soon  be- 
came a  part  of  his  field.  He  ever  regarded  this  as  the 
most  important  period  of  his  life,  and  as  really  his  first 
pastorate.  In  later  years  he  wrote  of  no  other  portion 
of  his  career  with  such  peculiar  unction.  Let  his  own 
pen  tell  of  this  stage  in  his  life:  "I  commenced  my 
labors  in  the  Neck  under  great  disadvantages.  Not  only 
were  the  Methodists  exerting  a  preponderating  influence, 
but,  preach  when  or  where  I  might,  my  appointment 
w^as  almost  sure  to  be  in  conflict  with  some  Methodist 
meeting.  They,  too,  had  almost  invariably  something 
to  attract  a  congregation  beyond  the  simple  merits  of 
their  preachers.  Sometimes  circuit  riders  would  be 
preaching  their  introductory  and  sometimes  their  vale- 
dictory semions.  Quarterly  meetings,  camp-meetings, 
and  other  extraordinary  services  filled  up  almost  every 
Sunday,  and  constantly  attracted  the  crowd. 
A  great  and  striking  change  took  place  in  the  field  of 
my  labor  during  this  period.  I  baptized  about  1,000 
persons,  nearly  an  equal  number  of  whites  and  of 
negroes.  .  .  .  My  congregations  became  larger, 
and  were  intelligent.  .  .  .  Long  before  I  left  that 
region  it  was  a  matter  of  indifference  to  me  what  new 
or  old  circuit  rider,  or  popular  presiding  elder  was  to 
preach  in  the  vicinity  of  my  meetings.  My  congrega- 
tions could  not  be  materially  diminished.  .  .  .  The 
period  of  my  residence  in  the  Northern  Neck  was 
probably  the  time  most  potential  in  the  formation  of 
my  character,  and  the  development  of  my  gifts. 
A  singular  event  occurred  in  my  ministry  while  I  lived 
in  the  Neck.     I  had  an  appointment  to  preach  at  White 


JEREMIAH  BELL  JETER  311 

Chapel  in  the  upper  end  of  Lancaster  County.  It  was 
an  old  colonial  edifice,  large,  much  out  of  repair,  and 
little  used.  ...  I  had  proceeded  some  distance  in 
my  discourse  with  usual  freedom,  when  a  large  mass  of 
plaster,  more  than  two  feet  square  and  several  inches 
thick,  fell  from  the  lofty  ceiling,  just  grazing  me  in  its 
descent.  Had  it  fallen  on  my  head,  it  would  probably 
have  killed  me  or  would  certainly  have  stunned  and 
seriously  wounded  me.  I  was  alarmed ;  but  finding  the 
danger  over  I  quickly  proceeded  to  make  extempore 
remarks,  suggested  by  the  event,  on  the  perils  to  which 
we  are  constantly  exposed,  the  uncertainty  of  life,  and 
the  importance  of  being  always  prepared   for  the  end. 

When  I  had  finished  my  unpremeditated  re- 
marks, I  essayed  to  recommence  my  sermon ;  but  all 
recollection  of  the  text  and  subject  was  entirely  effaced 
from  my  mind.  I  stood  and  endeavored  to  recall  the 
theme  of  my  discourse.  My  efforts  were  vain. 
I  turned  to  the  left,  where  sat  my  friend  Deacon  Duna- 
way,  and  asked  him  if  he  could  tell  me  what  I  was 
preaching  about.  He  seemed  to  be  paralyzed  or  rather 
petrified  by  the  question.  He  sat  with  his  eyes  and 
mouth  stretched  wide  open,  without  moving  a  muscle. 

I  gradually  turned  to  the  right.  Deacon 
Norris,  a  careful  hearer,  and  noted  for  remembering 
the  texts  of  sermons,  seeing  that  I  was  directing  my  eyes 
towards  him,  cast  his  head  down  on  the  back  of  the  pew 
before  him,  as  much  as  to  say,  'Don't  ask  me  for  your 
text.'  .  .  .  Just  as  I  was  about  to  take  my  seat, 
the  text  and  my  discourse  flashed  on  my  mind,  and  I 
commenced  my  remarks  precisely  at  the  point  at  which 
they  had  been  interrupted,  and  finished  my  sermon  with 
freedom,  and  a  solemnity,  perhaps  intensified  by  the 
danger  which  I  had  escaped." 

While  living  in  the  Northern  Neck,  on  December  29, 
1828,  Mr.  Jeter  was  married  to  Miss  Sarah  Ann  Gas- 


312         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

kins.  She  was  of  "medium  size  and  attractive  person. 
She  was  thoroughly  amiable  in  her  temper  and  had  en- 
joyed unusual  educational  advantages."  Yet  she  was 
shy,  sensitive,  and  shrinking,  having  little  confidence  in 
herself,  and  trembled  at  the  coming  of  company.  She  was 
remarkable  for  her  taciturnity.  Once  husband  and  wife 
made  a  long  journey  in  a  two-wheeled  gig.  Mr.  Jeter 
sought  to  engage  her  in  conversation,  but  getting  nothing 
but  monosyllables  decided  he  would  not  speak  again  until 
she  did.  For  twenty  miles  the  silence  was  unbroken. 
This  good  woman  had  no  doubt  inherited  some  of  her 
father's  characteristics,  for  he  was  of  such  a  melancholy 
temperament,  and  so  distressingly  dismal,  that  he  was 
nicknamed  "Brother  Hyppo."  Of  this  union,  which 
lasted  twenty  years,  the  one  child  that  was  born  lived 
only  a  short  while.  That  he  was  not  blessed  with 
children  was  a  great  distress  to  Mr.  Jeter,  for  he  was 
fond  of  children.  He  once  said  to  a  lady,  when  con- 
gratulating her  upon  the  birth  of  a  daughter,  that  he 
wished  he  had  a  hundred  girls. 

Mr.  Jeter  seems  to  have  been  very  fond  of  travel.  Dur- 
ing his  years  in  the  Northern  Neck  he  visited  Baltimore, 
and  later  New  York.  Some  details  of  these  trips  from 
his  own  pen  follow.  He  spoke  of  the  first  of  these  jour- 
neys as  "A  Voyage  to  Baltimore"  :  "I  arranged  to  make 
the  voyage  in  a  small  schooner  engaged  in  the  Baltimore 
trade.  ...  In  two  or  three  days'  run  we  reached 
the  city  of  Baltimore.  To  me  it  seemed  a  great  city, 
containing  about  90,000  inhabitants.  .  .  .  The  few 
days  I  spent  there  were  employed  in  traversing  its 
streets,  surveying  its  fine  buildings,  and  examining  its 
curiosities.  I  had  often  expressed  the  wish  that  I  could 
meet  myself  without  knowing  who  I  was,  that  I  might 
form  an  impartial  opinion  of  my  appearance.  Strangely 
enough  on  this  visit  my  desire  was  gratified.  I  went 
to  Peak's  museum.     While  I  was  employed  in  examin- 


JEREMIAH  BELL  JETER  313 

ing  the  curiosities  in  a  large  room,  I  observed  a  tall, 
gawky-looking  man,  who  was  engaged  with  equal  in- 
terest in  inspecting  objects  in  an  adjoining  room.  I 
eyed  him  occasionally,  but  not  very  minutely.  Having 
finished  my  examination  in  the  room  where  I  was,  I  con- 
cluded that  I  would  pass  into  the  apartment  where  the 
stranger  seemed  to  be  intensely  occupied.  He  had 
closed  the  inspection  of  the  curiosities  in  his  room  and 
appeared  to  be  making  his  way  into  mine.  We  met 
face  to  face,  and  it  was  some  time  before  I  could  per- 
ceive that  the  stranger  was  my  very  self,  reflected  from 
a  mirror  that  had  been  fitted  in  the  wall  and  surrounded 
by  a  frame  appearing  like  a  door.  ...  I  may  men- 
tion a  matter  out  of  its  chronological  order.  The 
Baptists  in  Baltimore,  being  few,  and  their  cause  feebly 
sustained,  Deacon  William  Crane,  the  founder  and 
architect  of  the  Second  Baptist  Church  (of  Richmond), 
a  few  years  from  this  time,  resolved  to  remove  to  Balti- 
more for  the  purpose  of  establishing  a  new  church  there. 
I  was  invited  to  unite  with  him  in  the  enter- 
prise. ...  It  was  for  some  time  undecided  whether 
I  should  remove  to  Baltimore  or  remain  in  Virginia. 
Finally  it  was  agreed  to  leave  the  question  to  the  deci- 
sion of  a  committee  of  ministers  of  the  Dover  Associa- 
tion, at  its  session  with  the  Upper  King  and  Queen 
Church,  in  the  year  1834.  The  committee  decided  ad- 
versely to  my  removal.  ...  I  returned  to  my  plain 
country  home  quite  impressed  with  the  greatness  and 
grandeur  of  the  Monumental  City."  Concerning  his 
attendance  at  the  Baptist  Triennial  Convention,  in  1832, 
he  says:  "...  Here  I  first  saw  a  railroad,  on 
which  passengers  were  drawn  by  horses  ...  at 
the  rate  of  six  or  eight  miles  an  hour.  .  .  .  New 
York  impressed  me  as  a  great  city.  ...  It  then 
contained  200,000,  and  was  rapidly  growing.  .  . 
The  representation  from  the  South  was  small.     .     .     . 


314         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

The  routine  of  the  body  was  dispatched  without  special 
interest.  .  .  .  Sunday  morning  I  preached  to  a 
small  Welsh  congregation,  in  Brooklyn.  ...  I  was 
assured  by  a  Welsh  brother  that  my  manner  of  preach- 
ing was  very  much  like  that  of  the  Welsh  ministers.  I 
received  the  remark  as  a  great  compliment,  as  about  that 
time  the  celebrated  extract  from  a  sermon  of  Christmas 
Evans  .  .  .  was  widely  circulated,  and  greatly 
admired.  Howbeit,  the  good  brother  did  not  intimate 
that  my  sermon  bore  any  resemblance  to  the  eloquent 
and  seraphic  specimen  of  Evans'  preaching,  but  only  to 
the  ordinary  style  of  the  Welsh  sermons.  .  .  .  This 
was  the  last  harmonious  meeting  of  the  Triennial  Con- 
vention. .  .  .  The  subsequent  meetings  of  the  body 
were  increasingly  disturbed  by  discussions  on  the  sub- 
ject of   slavery.     ..." 

Large  success  came  to  the  Baptist  cause  in  the 
Northern  Neck  through  camp-meetings,  held  during 
Mr.  Jeter's  pastorate  there.  The  Baptists  were  much 
prejudiced  against  camp-meetings,  and  the  proposition 
of  the  Morattico-Wicomico  pastor  that  one  be  held 
awakened  much  opposition.  Finally  the  matter  was 
decided  by  lot,  and  more  than  one  such  meeting  was 
held.  Among  the  many  blessed  results  that  followed 
was  the  conversion  of  Miss  Henrietta  Hall,  who  after- 
wards, as  the  wife  of  Rev.  J.  L.  Shuck,  was  the  first 
American  woman  missionary  to  China. 

On  the  first  Lord's  Day  of  1836,  Mr.  Jeter  began  his 
work  as  pastor  of  the  First  Baptist  Church,  Richmond, 
Va.  This  was  an  epoch  in  his  history.  He  was  pass- 
ing from  a  country  field  to  the  heavier  obligations  of  a 
city  church.  Richmond  at  this  time  had  a  population 
of  about  30,000,  and  the  First  Church  a  membership 
of  1,717,  of  whom  1,384  were  colored  people,  and  333 
white.  In  the  fifty-six  years  of  her  history  the  church 
had  had  as  its  pastors  Joshua  Morris,  John  Courtney, 


JEREMIAH  BELL  JETER  315 

John  Bryce,  Andrew  Broaddus,  John  Kerr,  and  Isaac 
Taylor  Hinton.  The  meeting-house  stood  on  the  corner 
of  Broad  and  College  streets.  During  his  pastorate  of 
thirteen  and  a  half  years  Mr.  Jeter  baptized  some 
thousand  persons,  among  whom  were  many  who  became 
able  ministers.  Among  this  number  were  J.  R.  Garlick 
and  P.  S.  Henson.  At  the  close  of  his  pastorate  the 
church  had  some  600  white  members.  In  1841,  a  new 
meeting-house,  large  and  commodious,  that  cost  $40,- 
000,  was  dedicated.  Upon  the  site  of  the  former  house 
a  very  large  edifice  was  erected  for  the  colored  portion 
of  the  church,  and  Rev.  Dr.  Robert  Ryland,  the  presi- 
dent of  Richmond  College,  became  their  pastor.  This 
important  move  was  not  made  without  serious  opposi- 
tion. It  was  against  the  law  at  that  time  for  a  negro 
to  be  the  pastor  of  a  church,  and  many  looked  upon  the 
new  and  separate  meeting-house  as  liable  to  foster  the 
spirit  of  rebellion  among  the  slaves.  Yet  it  was  im- 
possible in  one  church  house  to  provide  adequate  place 
for  both  races,  and  preaching  suitable  at  once  for  those 
so  ignorant  and  those  of  intelligence  and  culture.  In 
the  midst  of  the  discussion  of  the  proposition  for  a 
separate  church  for  the  negroes,  Dr.  Jeter  thought  of 
calling  on  the  clergy  of  the  city  to  endorse  it.  His 
friend.  Dr.  W.  S.  Plumer,  pastor  of  the  First  Presby- 
terian Church,  said:  "Don't  do  it.  The  clergy  might 
decide  against  your  plan:  but  it  is  right — the  law  is  in 
your  favor — go  forward  in  the  work,  and  if  you  have 
trouble  I  will  stand  by  you."  And  right  nobly  did  Dr. 
Plumer  keep  this  promise.  When  he  heard  that  an  effort 
was  being  made  to  get  an  indictment  from  the  grand 
jury  against  the  persons  in  charge  of  the  meetings  he 
came  to  Dr.  Jeter  and  said :  'T  wish  you  to  understand 
that  in  any  difficulties  you  may  have  concerning  the 
African  Church  I  am  to  go  halves  with  you."  During 
Dr.  Jeter's  pastorate  at    the  First  Church  the    various 


316         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

ministers  united  in  an  attack  on  the  theater,  each  one 
preaching  a  special  sermon  against  this  evil.  Not  many 
years  before,  when  the  Richmond  theater  was  destroyed 
by  fire,  the  dead  and  dying  were  laid  on  the  floor  of  the 
edifice  in  which  Dr.  Jeter  deHvered  his  message.  This 
fact  doubtless  added  to  the  impressiveness  of  the  occa- 
sion, furnishing  him  with  a  most  solemn  climax  for  his 
discourse.  His  sermon  was  requested  for  publication 
and  had  a  wide  circulation.  In  1842,  Richmond  was 
blessed  by  a  great  revival  of  religion.  It  commenced  in 
the  First  Presbyterian  Church,  under  the  ministry  of 
Dr.  Plumer.  Dr.  Jeter  called  to  his  help  Rev.  Israel 
Robords,  an  evangelist,  whom  Dr.  Jeter  describes  as  "in 
some  respects  among  the  most  remarkable  preachers  I 
have  heard.  He  was  probably  forty-five  years  old,  tall, 
lean,  of  an  unhealthy  complexion,  and  rather  ill-favored. 
He  had  the  most  extraordinary  power  in  deal- 
ing with  the  consciences  of  men.  .  .  .  He  was 
terrible  in  his  denunciations  of  all  kinds  of  vice."  Dur- 
ing this  work  of  grace  probably  some  1,500  persons 
W'Cre  added  to  the  churches  of  the  various  denomina- 
tions, 400  of  them  joining  the  Baptist  churches,  and  170 
the  First  Church.  Several  years  after  this,  Dr.  Jeter 
had  to  help  him  in  evangelistic  services  another  famous 
evangelist,  Elder  Jacob  Knapp.  His  usefulness,  how- 
ever, was  largely  destroyed  by  his  unfortunate  allusions 
to  slavery,  and  finally  he  was  asked  to  leave.  Dr.  Jeter 
had  an  eye  for  the  beautiful ;  one  day  he  saw  a  young 
lady  in  his  congregation  wearing  a  Leghorn  hat  with 
a  handsome  ostrich  feather ;  he  at  once  asked  his  wife 
to  get  a  hat  like  that ;  a  bonnet  of  the  same  character 
without  the  feather  did  not  suffice,  he  was  not  satisfied 
until  the  plume  was  added. 

In  the  movement  which  resulted  in  the  withdrawal 
of  Southern  Baptists  from  the  Triennial  Convention, 
and  the  organization  of  the  Southern  Baptist  Conven- 


JEREMIAH  BELL  JETER  317 

tion,  Dr.  Jeter  was  prominent,  and  thus  his  leadership 
among  Southern  Baptists  began.  At  a  meeting  of  the 
American  Baptist  Home  Mission  Society  a  humorous 
incident  occurred.  Deacon  Heman  Lincoln  was  in  the 
chair.  Slavery  was  under  discussion.  Dr.  Jeter  arose 
and  was  recognized.  At  once  there  was  a  vociferous 
demand  that  another  be  accorded  the  floor.  It  was  in- 
sisted that  his  repeated  attempts  to  gain  the  floor  entitled 
him  to  it.  To  all  the  demands  and  arguments  the  in- 
flexible deacon  cried:  "Brother  Jeter  has  the  floor." 
After  standing  perhaps  half  an  hour  Dr.  Jeter  was 
allowed  to  make  his  speech.  Upon  the  action  of  the 
Boston  Board,  adverse  to  slaveholders,  a  convention 
was  called  by  Southern  brethren  looking  towards  a 
separate  organization.  Prior  to  this  meeting,  J.  B.  Jeter 
and  J.  B.  Taylor,  at  the  request  of  their  brethren,  went 
to  Providence  to  attend  a  called  meeting  of  the  General 
Board  of  the  Triennial  Convention,  to  confer  as  to  what 
ought  to  be  done.  They  were  the  guests  of  Dr.  Francis 
Way  land.  The  conference  revealed  the  fact  that  separ- 
ation was  unavoidable.  A  meeting  was  called  for  May 
8,  1845,  in  Augusta,  Ga.  At  this  time  and  place  the 
Southern  Baptist  Convention  was  organized.  On  the 
way  to  Augusta,  a  large  party  of  Virginia  and  Mary- 
land delegates  journeyed  together,  going  from  Wilming- 
ton to  Charleston  by  steamer.  Dr.  Jeter  was  one  of  the 
number.  A  violent  storm  was  encountered.  Upon  the 
organization  of  the  convention  the  Foreign  Mission 
Board  was  located  at  Richmond,  and  Dr.  Jeter  named 
as  its  president.  On  February  8,  1846,  Dr.  Adoniram 
Judson,  the  famous  Baptist  missionary  to  India,  visited 
Richmond,  and  was  given  a  reception  at  the  First  Baptist 
Church.  Dr.  Jeter  made  the  address.  This  address, 
which  was  most  beautiful  and  eloquent,  is  given  in  full 
in  Way  land's  "Life  of  Judson."  In  it  Dr.  Jeter  called 
Judson  "the  father  of  American  missions."    This  speech 


318         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

closed  with  these  words :  "One  thought  pains  us.  To- 
morrow morning  you  leave  us.  We  shall  see  your  face 
no  more.  You  will  return  to  Burmah,  the  land  of  your 
adoption.  There  you  will  continue  your  toils  and  there 
probably  be  buried.  But  this  separation  is  not  without 
its  solace.  Thank  God !  it  is  as  near  from  Burmah  to 
heaven  as  from  Richmond,  or  any  other  point  on  the 
globe.  Angels,  oft  commissioned  to  convey  to  heaven 
the  departing  spirits  of  pious  Burmans  and  Karens, 
have  learned  the  way  to  that  dark  land.  When  dis- 
missed from  your  toils  and  sufferings  they  will  be  in 
readiness  to  perform  the  same  service  for  you.  God 
grant  that  we  may  all  meet  in  that  bright  world.  There 
sin  shall  no  more  annoy  us,  separations  no  more  pain 
us,  and  every  power  find  full  and  sweet  employ  in  the 
service  of  Christ.  And,  now,  my  brother,  I  give  my 
hand  in  token  of  affection  to  you,  and  of  your  cordial 
reception  among  us." 

During  Dr.  Jeter's  pastorate  at  the  First  Church  he 
was  "called  to  taste  the  bitter  cup  of  affliction."  His 
mother  "passed  to  her  long  home,"  and  he  followed  to 
her  grave  his  second  wife.  No  recollection  of  having 
disobeyed  his  mother  or  uttered  a  disrespectful  word 
to  her  gave  him  pleasure  even  to  his  old  age,  and  in  a 
ministry  of  over  fifty  years  he  never  witnessed  a  more 
triumphant  death  than  that  of  his  wife.  In  1849,  he 
was  married  to  his  third  wife,  whose  maiden  name  was 
Charlotte  E.  Wharton. 

In  1849,  Dr.  Jeter  became  pastor  of  the  Second 
Baptist  Church,  of  St.  Louis,  Mo.  Here  was  a  great 
change  in  his  life,  from  quiet  Richmond  to  St.  Louis, 
which  promised  then  to  be  the  great  city  it  has  since 
become.  After  offering  his  resignation  in  Richmond, 
when  he  realized  how  strong  he  was  in  the  affection  and 
esteem  of  the  First  Church,  he  regretted  the  step  he  had 
taken,  but  matters  had  gone  too  far  then  to  be  reversed. 


JEREMIAH  BELL  JETER  319 

The  Second  Church  was  at  that  time  the  only  white 
Baptist  Church  in  St.  Louis,  the  First  Church  having 
been  shortly  before  united  with  it.  The  membership 
was  heterogeneous  in  character,  being  made  up  of  people 
from  England,  Wales,  and  almost  every  state  in  the 
Union.  No  wonder  that  in  such  a  body  there  was  great 
divergency  of  views.  And  in  the  city  itself  many  great 
fundamental  doctrines,  which  in  Virginia  were  univer- 
sally accepted,  had  here  to  be  established  by  argument 
and  proof.  At  Dr.  Jeter's  suggestion  colonies  soon 
went  forth  from  his  church  to  organize  two  other 
Baptist  churches  in  the  city.  While  this  was  highly 
advantageous  to  the  Baptist  cause  in  St.  Louis  it 
weakened  the  pastor's  hold  upon  his  flock.  Many  who 
went  out  had  been  his  staunchest  supporters,  many  who 
remained  were  not  satisfied  with  his  preaching.  Finally 
it  was  proposed  that  still  another  division  should  take 
place,  the  pastor  and  his  admirers  being  one  band,  and 
others  another.  Just  at  this  juncture  Dr.  Jeter  was 
called  to  the  pastorate  of  the  Grace  Street  Baptist 
Church,  Richmond,  Va.,  to  succeed  Rev.  Dr.  Kings  ford, 
who  had  recently  resigned.  Mrs.  Jeter  was  convinced 
that  a  return  to  Virginia  was  important  for  her  health. 
While  Dr.  Jeter  did  not  concur  in  this  opinion,  yet  her 
desire  in  the  matter  was  one  factor  which  led  him  to 
accept  the  call  back  to  his  native  state.  It  was  with  no 
small  degree  of  reluctance  that  he  left  St.  Louis.  He 
saw  great  possibilities  there,  and  the  very  difficulties  of 
the  situation  were  an  inspiration.  In  taking  his  de- 
parture, however,  he  believed  that  his  sojourn  in 
Missouri  had  brought  a  blessing  to  his  denomination 
there,  and  to  his  own  life.  And  since  he  was  to  return 
to  Virginia  it  was  fortunate  that  he  should  do  so  before 
his  absence  had  been  long  enough  to  throw  him  out  of 
sympathy  with  his  brethren  and  the  work  being  done. 
Towards  the  end  of  1852  he  began  his  work  at  Grace 
Street. 


320         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

While  sorry  to  leave  St.  Louis,  Dr.  Jeter  was  glad  to 
return  to  Virginia.  Not  that  he  did  not  love  St.  Louis, 
but  that  he  loved  Virginia  more.  In  the  Grace  Street 
pastorate  his  predecessors  had  been  Henry  Keeling, 
Lewis  A.  Alderson,  James  B.  Taylor,  David  Shaver, 
and  Edward  Kingsford.  The  meeting-house  stood  on 
the  corner  of  Foushee  and  Grace  streets,  and  his  salary 
was  $1,000  a  year.  Many  believe  that  Dr.  Jeter's 
pastorate  at  Grace  Street,  which  lasted  seventeen  years, 
was  in  many  respects  the  most  useful  period  of  his  life. 
If  his  career  here  was  not  brilliant  it  was  eminently 
prosperous.  He  was  an  instructive  and  eminently 
evangelical  preacher,  but  not  popular  in  his  style,  and, 
as  one  has  said,  to  dull  people  he  was  a  dull  preacher. 
He  was  an  earnest  student  of  the  Bible,  wonderfully 
familiar  with  it.  He  used  the  best  helps  in  his  study  of 
''the  Book,"  not  even  neglecting  the  original  languages, 
although  he  had  had  no  college  or  theological  training. 
His  sermons  were  always  faithfully  prepared.  His  out- 
line was  carefully  constructed,  sometimes  perhaps  with 
too  many  divisions  and  subdivisions.  Doubtless  his 
voice  had  much  to  do  with  his  falling  short  of  the 
highest  oratory.  Dr.  Hatcher  holds  to  the  opinion  that 
his  peculiar  voice  was  not  a  natural  infirmity,  but  a 
habit  of  long  standing.  Another  peculiarity  that  often 
hindered  his  work  in  the  pulpit,  and  likewise  in  pastoral 
and  social  relationship,  was  his  treacherous  memory. 
He  rarely  remembered  persons'  names,  and  often  failed 
to  speak  to  people  on  the  street.  He  was  known  to  for- 
get in  a  sermon  a  pivotal  word,  for  which  he  w^ould 
sometimes  struggle  in  vain.  He  did  not  attract  great 
congregations ;  indeed,  at  night,  he  often  preached  to 
empty  benches.  Yet  this  condition  did  not  tempt  him 
to  resort  to  spurious  methods,  nor  did  it  unduly  dis- 
courage him.  He  pursued  his  work  conscientiously, 
always  in  the  fear  of  God,  with  a  holy  ambition  to  do 


JEREMIAH  BELL  JETER  321 

good.  His  noble  presence  could  but  give  dignity  to  his 
message,  and  his  arms,  which  were  long  and  seemingly 
in  his  way  when  he  was  young,  became,  as  he  grew 
older,  his  servants  for  power;  his  gestures  were  most 
impressive.  Many  stories  as  to  his  voice  and  his  absent- 
mindedness  are  doubtless  as  apocryphal  as  they  were 
cruel,  but  some  are  well  authenticated.  At  the  Univer- 
sity of  Virginia  at  the  close  of  a  sermon  he  was  called 
on  to  pray.  "He  began  his  petition  by  saying,  'O  Lord,' 
in  a  tone  so  sharp,  queer,  and  undevout,  that  the  whole 
audience  was  amused.  One  of  the  professors,  an  humble 
and  devout  Christian,  said  afterwards  that  when  he 
heard  that  singular  ejaculation,  his  first  thought  was 
that  some  one  had  pierced  Dr.  Jeter  with  a  needle  and 
that  it  was  an  outcry  of  pain."  In  those  days  people  in 
Richmond  went  to  the  post-office  for  their  mail :  one 
day  when  Dr.  Jeter  went  he  could  not  get  his  letters 
because  he  had  forgotten  his  name.  Once  in  the  Grace 
Street  prayer-meeting  Dr.  Jeter  said  that  if  he  had 
ofifended  any  brother  in  any  way  he  would  be  glad  to 
know  it  that  he  might  make  amends.  A  brother  rose 
at  once  and  said  that  it  hurt  him  that  his  pastor  never 
knew  him  and  never  spoke  to  him  on  the  street.  The 
next  day  Dr.  Jeter  went  to  the  high  building  where  this 
man  was  at  work,  called  him  down,  and  shook  hands 
with  him  cordially,  calling  him  by  name.  While  as  a 
pastor  he  was  not  a  great  visitor  his  visits  to  the  sick 
and  afflicted  were  like  a  benediction.  Once  when  a  cer- 
tain sick  man  was  allowed  to  see  no  one.  Dr.  Jeter  called 
and  was  not  permitted  to  go  in.  When  the  physician 
was  informed  of  this  he  expressed  regret,  saying  that 
Dr.  Jeter's  visit  would  have  done  his  patient  more  good 
than  his.  Of  his  work  as  a  city  pastor  Dr.  Curry  says: 
"For  years  he  was  a  bishop  of  large  city  churches,  and 
exerted  extraordinary  influence  in  molding  the  opinions, 
forming  the  character,  and  shaping  the  conduct  of  his 
flocks." 


11 


322         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

Dr.  Jeter's  pastorate  at  Grace  Street  covered  the 
period  of  the  Civil  War.  He  stood  faithfully  at  his 
post.  His  church  was  sadly  crippled,  his  income  was 
inadequate,  but  he  bore  his  troubles  with  cheerfulness. 
Many  letters  came  to  him  asking  him  to  look  after 
soldiers  who  were  sick  and  in  prison.  Once  he  went  to 
Libby  Prison  to  visit  a  Federal  soldier,  the  son  of  Dr. 
B.  Sears.  At  one  time  during  the  war  he  wrote  to  a 
friend  and  told  of  the  scarcity  of  all  provisions,  butter 
being  at  that  time  $1.25  a  pound,  and  eggs  $1.00  a  dozen. 
A  certain  Sunday  afternoon  a  rumor  spread  through 
Richmond  that  the  United  States  vessel  Pazvnee  was 
coming  up  James  River  to  bombard  the  city.  The  news 
caused  consternation.  Military  companies  hastened 
down  the  river  with  their  artillery.  Some  fled,  others 
armed  for  the  fray.  Dr.  Jeter  belonged  to  this  latter 
class.  "He  secured  an  old  shotgun,  which  some  said 
was  without  lock  or  load,  and  set  forth  for  the  scene  of 
war.  It  must  have  been  a  curious  sight,  indeed,  to 
behold  him  on  Sunday  afternoon  double-quicking  down 
Broad  Street  with  an  empty  shotgun,  going  alone  to 
engage  a  United  States  man-of-war." 

On  August  19,  1861,  Dr.  Jeter's  third  wife  died. 
They  had  been  married  twelve  years.  "She  was  a 
charming  woman,  not  highly  cultivated,  but  gently 
reared,  lovely  in  person,  full  of  quiet  self-respect,  ardent 
in  her  attachments,  almost  unduly  candid  in  her  manner, 
devoted  to  her  home,  not  given  to  extravagance, 
modestly  proud  of  her  husband,  and  ever  ambitious  of 
his  success."  In  the  summer  of  1862,  at  a  supper  table 
in  Powhatan,  some  of  the  company  ventured  to  banter 
Dr.  Jeter  on  the  subject  of  matrimony.  It  was  an  un- 
timely jest.  Dropping  his  knife  and  fork,  he  said,  as 
if  in  reverie:  "Ah,  my  noble  and  faithful  wife!  how 
gladly  would  I  walk  around  this  world  barefoot  and 
alone  to  see  her  again !"     As  the  War  wore  on  Dr.  Jeter 


JEREMIAH  BELL  JETER  323 

found  in  the  Archibald  Thomas  home  a  most  congenial 
circle  of  warm  friends.  It  was  here  that  he  met  and 
became  attached  to  Mrs.  Mary  C.  Dabbs,  whom,  upon 
May  5,  1863,  he  married.  The  ceremony  was  performed 
by  Rev.  Dr.  J.  L.  Burrows.  There  was  to  have  been  a 
bridal  trip,  but  railroad  schedules  were  uncertain  in 
those  days,  and  the  train  that  day  refused  to  go.  As  to 
this  union  Dr.  Hatcher  says :  "It  was  universally  con- 
ceded that  his  contact  with  this  brilliant  and  inspiring 
woman  quickened  him  into  new  activity  and  stimulated 
him  to  the  most  noble  achievements  of  his  life." 

On  March  25,  1870.  Dr.  Jeter  resigned  as  pastor  of 
the  Grace  Street  Baptist  Church.  For  some  time  he  had 
undertaken  the  double  load  of  editorial  and  pastoral 
labors.  This  was  too  great  a  burden.  Dr.  M.  L.  James, 
a  medical  professor  and  practitioner,  was  for  a  time  an 
inmate  of  Dr.  Jeter's  home,  and  he  warned  his  host  and 
friend  that  there  was  danger  of  a  serious  breakdown. 
Finally  Dr.  Jeter,  realizing  that  his  friend  was  right, 
decided  to  turn  over  the  church  to  some  younger  man, 
and  to  give  himself  w'holly  to  the  editor's  chair.  Thus 
closed  a  blessed  pastorate  of  seventeen  years. 

As  factors  in  his  success  in  the  various  periods  of  his 
life  must  be  set  down  Dr.  Jeter's  vigorous  constitution 
and  his  almost  uniform  good  health.  To  the  end  of  his 
life  he  was  fond  of  walking  and  of  horseback  exercise. 
Dr.  Jeter,  w^alking  along  the  street  or  riding,  as  erect  as 
a  soldier,  his  hoary  head  a  crown  of  honor,  was  a  sight 
of  w^hich  Richmond  might  well  be  proud.  He  had  a 
good  digestion  and  enjoyed  his  food.  He  slept  well 
and  was  quite  regular  as  to  his  hour  for  retiring,  and, 
when  he  went  to  bed,  he  went  to  sleep.  He  would  com- 
mit the  cares  of  the  day  to  God  in  prayer,  and  then  go 
to  sleep.  He  used  to  say  that  prayer  and  sleep  would 
solve  any  problem.  Once  he  came  home  under  the 
pressure  of  a  serious  and  sudden  financial  calamity.     It 


324         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

was  a  difficult  situation.  Finally,  having  cast  all  his 
care  upon  Him,  he  went  to  bed  and  to  sleep,  though  his 
wife,  burdened  with  the  trouble,  could  not  sleep  half  the 
night.  The  next  morning  he  exclaimed  upon  awaking: 
"It  is  all  right;  I  see  how  the  matter  can  be  arranged." 
Sir  Walter  Scott  was  an  early  riser,  and  awoke  even 
earlier.  In  this  interim  he  "simmered"  as  he  called  it; 
his  own  term  is  explained  when  he  tells  us  that  the  plots 
of  his  novels  were  worked  out  during  this  morning 
season.  Not  unlike  this  was  Dr.  Jeter's  method.  What 
he  wanted  to  write  and  sometimes  even  the  exact  form 
of  his  sentences  took  shape  at  this  time. 

In  November,  1865,  Dr.  Jeter  and  Dr.  A.  E.  Dickin- 
son became  the  owners  and  editors  of  the  Religious 
Herald,  the  organ  of  Virginia  Baptists.  This  paper  had 
been  established  in  1828,  by  Wm.  Crane  and  Wm. 
Sands,  and  was  up  to  the  War  a  successful  and  useful 
paper.  The  flames  that  destroyed  one-third  of  Rich- 
mond swept  away  the  Herald,  leaving  little  for  the  new 
firm  to  purchase  save  the  subscription  list  and  the  good 
will.  Yet  the  paper  now  entered  upon  a  new  era  of 
prosperity.  The  two  editors  formed  a  strong  combina- 
tion, supplementing  and  complementing  each  other.  Dr. 
Jeter  had  no  skill  in  securing  long  lists  of  subscribers, 
nor  was  he  able  to  report  in  racy  style  a  great  conven- 
tion, or  set  forth  passing  events  in  brief  paragraphs.  In 
these  things  Dr.  Dickinson  soon  came  to  be  past  master. 
Dr.  Jeter  wrote,  week  after  week,  editorials  on  a  wide 
range  of  subjects  that  attracted  attention.  They  were 
readable ;  they  were  remarkable  for  their  vigorous 
English  style ;  they  were  clear,  sane,  and  strong.  At  a 
transition  period  in  our  national  history,  the  Religions 
Herald  did  much  to  bring  about  good  feeling  between 
the  North  and  South,  and  Dr.  Jeter  deserves  to  share 
with  Dr.  Dickinson  the  honor  of  this  praiseworthy 
work.     The  Herald  came  to  be  highly  regarded  not  only 


JEREMIAH  BELL  JETER  325 

throughout  the  South,  but  also  in  the  North.  After  his 
resignation  of  the  Grace  Street  pastorate,  Dr.  Jeter  gave 
his  whole  time  to  the  paper.  Among  his  writings  for 
the  Herald  a  series  of  articles,  entitled  "Recollections  of 
a  Long  Life,"  which  were  afterwards  published  in  book 
form,  took  high  rank  for  their  charm  of  style  and 
valuable  light  on  other  days. 

The  work  of  Dr.  Jeter's  pen  was  not  limited  to  the 
columns  of  the  new^spaper.  He  was  an  author  and  the 
writer  of  books.  Besides  numerous  tracts  and  a  num- 
ber of  printed  sermons,  the  following  books  bear  his 
name:  "Memoir  of  Rev.  A.  W.  Clopton,"  "Life  of  Mrs. 
Henrietta  Shuck,"  "Life  of  Rev.  A.  Broaddus," 
"Campbellism  Examined,"  "Campbellism  Reexamined." 
"The  Christian  Mirror,"  "The  Seal  of  Heaven." 

Dr.  Jeter  occupied  a  large  place  not  only  in  the  work 
of  Virginia  Baptists,  but  also  in  that  of  the  Baptists  of 
the  South.  He  was  known  and  esteemed  by  his  brethren 
in  the  North.  Rev.  Dr.  J.  C.  Long  declared  that  Dr. 
Wayland  and  Dr.  Jeter  were  "the  two  Baptists  who  have 
exerted  the  widest  and  most  wholesome  influence  on  the 
religious  history  of  our  country."  In  his  early  ministry 
he  took  a  bold,  brave  stand  in  the  temperance  move- 
ment, and,  in  1830,  he  was  one  of  those  who  helped  to 
bring  into  being  the  Education  Society  from  which 
Richmond  College  came.  He  was  for  the  rest  of  his 
life  the  friend  of  Richmond  College,  for  many  years 
president  of  its  Board  of  Trustees,  and,  after  his  death, 
his  name  was  given  to  a  hall  in  one  of  the  college  build- 
ings. Dr.  Jeter  was  one  of  the  leaders  in  the  organi- 
zation of  the  Southern  Baptist  Convention,  and  the 
first  president  of  the  Foreign  Mission  Board.  In  the 
various  meetings,  which  resulted  in  the  establishment  of 
the  Southern  Baptist  Theological  Seminary,  Dr.  Jeter 
bore  an  important  part,  and,  at  the  time  of  his  death, 
was  president  of  its  Trustees.     In  1872,  when  troubles 


326         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

of  a  most  serious  nature  menaced  the  Italian  Mission, 
recently  established  by  Southern  Baptists,  Dr.  Jeter  was 
appointed  a  special  commissioner  to  go  to  Rome.  Dr. 
Jeter  was  esteemed  not  only  in  the  Baptist  ranks.  He 
was  invited  to  become  chaplain  at  the  University  of  Vir- 
ginia. As  an  index  of  the  spirit  and  service  Dr.  Jeter 
rendered  to  his  fellow-men,  take  the  words  of  Virginia's 
Governor,  F.  W.  M.  Holliday,  as  he  stood  beside  the 
coffin:  "Here  lies  the  man,  by  whose  counsel  and 
sympathy  I  have  been  more  strongly  sustained,  in  my 
official  duties,  than  by  any  other  man  in  Virginia." 
Governor  Holliday  was  not  a  Baptist.  Dr.  Jeter  was 
certainly,  at  the  time  of  his  death  and  for  years  previous 
to  that  event,  one  of  the  leading  citizens  of  Richmond 
and  Virginia. 

Dr.  Jeter  died  on  Wednesday,  February  18,  1880,  at 
4  o'clock  in  the  morning.  His  death  brought  distress 
to  all  classes  of  people  in  Richmond,  and  to  the  Baptist 
brotherhood  throughout  the  State  and  the  South.  For 
some  hours  before  the  funeral  his  body  rested  in  the 
church  where  he  had  last  been  pastor,  and  many  looked 
for  the  last  time  at  his  face.  The  speakers  at  the  funeral 
were :  Rev.  Dr.  J.  R.  Garlick,  Rev.  Dr.  T.  S.  Dunaway, 
Rev.  Dr.  D.  S.  Doggett,  Rev.  Dr.  J.  L.  M.  Curry.  The 
burial  took  place  in  beautiful  Hollywood. 

Many  pages  more  could  be  written  setting  forth  the 
story  of  Dr.  Jeter's  life,  and  giving  incidents  and 
anecdotes  illustrating  his  character  and  work.  So  deep 
an  impression  did  he  make  upon  the  memory  of  Virginia 
Baptists  that  to-day,  when  he  has  been  dead  almost  a 
third  of  a  century,  his  name  is  still  a  household  word 
among  us.  Perhaps  certain  striking  peculiarities,  with 
scores  of  anecdotes,  some  true  and  some  not,  which  still 
pass  current  among  us,  have  played  their  part  in  per- 
petuating his  name  and  fame  among  us.  Who  that  ever 
saw  him  in  his  old  age  could  ever  forget  him?     How 


JEREMIAH  BELL  JETER  327 

tall  and  commanding  was  his  figure!  How  imposing 
his  intellectual  face,  his  noble  head  with  its  crown  of 
white  hair !  When  Dr.  Jeter's  own  pen  set  down  in  so 
interesting  a  way  many  scenes  from  his  life,  and  when 
such  a  facile  writer  as  Dr.  W.  E.  Hatcher,  who  was  so 
well  qualified  to  do  so,  has  written  a  Hfe  of  Dr.  Jeter, 
little  save  selection  and  arrangement  of  material  was 
left  for  this  sketch.  For  the  fuller  story  the  reader  is 
referred  to  two  books:  Hatcher's  "Life  of  Jeter,"  and 
Jeter's  "Recollections  of  a  Long  Life,"  to  which 
volumes  this  sketch  owes  almost  everything. 


HENRY  F.  CUNDIFF 

Northumberland  County  is  one  of  the  four  counties 
which  form  what  is  known  as  the  Northern  Neck  of 
Virginia,  or.  in  other  words,  that  section  of  the  State 
which  Hes  between  the  eastern  waters  of  the  Potomac 
and  Rappahannock  rivers.  In  this  county,  a  land  of 
broad  rivers  and  far-stretching  vistas,  Henry  F.  Cun- 
difT  was  born,  lived,  labored,  and  died.  His  life  cov- 
ered some  eight  years  more  than  half  a  century,  and 
came  to  a  close  November  4,  1880.  In  early  manhood, 
Mr.  Cundiff,  the  descendant  of  an  honorable  family, 
professed  faith  in  Christ,  and  was  baptized  into  the 
fellowship  of  the  Fairfields  Baptist  Church,  Northum- 
berland County,  by  Elder  Addison  Hall.  In  this 
church,  which  was  a  child  of  the  Wicomico  Church, 
which  is  described  as  having  been  practically  a  total 
abstinence  church,  he  continued  a  faithful  and  honored 
member  until  his  death.  By  reason  of  his  piety  and 
gifts  he  was  called  to  the  pastoral  care  of  the  Gideon 
Church,  in  his  native  county,  and  was  ordained  to  the 
gospel  ministry,  the  Presb3^tery  consisting  of  Elders 
Addison  Hall  and  Wm.  H.  Kirk.  After  he  had  been 
pastor  of  this  church  for  several  years  he  resigned,  but 
he  continued  to  preach  as  opportunity  offered  until  his 
end  came.  Physically  he  was  frail  and  delicate,  but  he 
was  strong  in  the  Lord  and  in  the  power  of  His  might. 


328 


SOLOMON  FUNK 

In  Rockingham  County,  a  part  of  the  beautiful  and 
historic  Valley  of  Virginia,  Solomon  Funk  was  born, 
November  13,  1825.  His  education  he  secured  mainly 
from  his  father,  who,  though  a  self-made  man,  was  in 
no  small  degree  an  educated  man,  though  he  had  never 
had  college  advantages.  When  he  was  some  nineteen 
years  of  age  he  made  a  profession  of  faith  in  Christ, 
and  soon  united  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 
He  remained  in  this  church  some  time,  until,  becoming 
dissatisfied  with  the  doctrines  of  that  denomination,  he 
became  a  Baptist,  and  a  member  of  the  Mt.  Crawford 
Church,  where  Rev.  John  E.  Massey  was  then  pastor. 
He  was  a  great  lover  of  music  and  of  the  songs  of  Zion. 
In  this  sphere  he  did  much  to  honor  God.  He  was  well 
known  by  the  musical  world  of  the  South,  being  one  of 
the  firm  of  musical  publishers,  Joseph  Funk's  Sons. 
The  very  name  of  the  place,  where  he  lived  and  died. 
Singer's  Glen,  is  at  once  poetic  and  picturesque. 

He  was  the  son  of  Joseph  Funk  and  his  second  wife, 
Rachel  Britton,  being  one  of  fourteen  children.  Joseph 
Funk,  who  founded  Singer's  Glen  and  the  business  that 
made  the  place  famous,  is  aptly  called,  by  Dr.  John  W. 
Wayland,  in  his  sketch  of  him  in  Pennsylvania-German 
(October,  1911),  "The  Father  of  Song  in  Northern 
Virginia."  Joseph  Funk*  was  quite  versatile,  being 
farmer,  schoolmaster,  translator,  author,  publisher,  and 
music  teacher.  In  1832,  he  published  a  book  of  sacred 
music  that  in  subsequent  editions,  under  the  name  of 
"Harmonia  Sacra,"  had  a  large  fame.     Some  seventeen 

*The  facts  given  here  about  Joseph  Funk  and  his  work  are 
taken  from  the  article  by  Dr.  Wayland. 

329 


330         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

editions  of  this  work  were  published,  and  something 
like  80,000  copies  of  the  book  sold.  At  first  it  was 
printed  in  Winchester,  bound  in  Charlottesville,  and 
sold  from  Singer's  Glen.  Solomon  Funk  was  asso- 
ciated with  his  father  in  this  work  along  musical  lines. 
His  father  went  far  and  wide  over  the  State  teaching- 
vocal  music.  A  letter  from  Solomon  Funk,  dated  Janu- 
ary 29,  1847,  tells  of  a  trip  father  and  son  took  together 
to  Philadelphia  in  the  interest  of  their  business.  Their 
expenses  to  Philadelphia  were  $29,  and  the  letter  says : 
"Our  city  expenses  will  be  about  $12."  The  little  frame 
house  in  which  Joseph  Funk  began  his  publishing  work 
is  still  standing  at  Singer's  Glen.  Joseph  Funk  was  a 
man  of  strong  religious  convictions  and  deep  piety.  In 
1837,  when  his  daughter  moved  to  the  west,  he  gave 
her  a  shelf  of  thirty  books,  among  which  were  these : 
Dodridge's  "Rise  and  Progress,"  Baxter's  "Saint's 
Rest,"  Young's  "Night  Thoughts,"  Edwards  on  the 
Affections,  Flavel's  "Touchstone,"  Pollok's  "Course  of 
Time." 

In  1865,  a  remarkable  event  occurred  in  his  life.  He 
began  to  preach.  He  continued,  however,  his  connec- 
tion with  the  musical  house,  and  carried  on,  also,  his 
extensive  and  well-tilled  farm.  Although  he  entered 
the  ministry  later  than  most  men  do,  he  proved  a  useful 
and  consecrated  preacher.  Rev.  Dr.  Charles  Manly, 
who  knew  him  well,  says :  "His  continued  growth  in 
power  as  a  preacher  and  writer  was  remarked  again  and 
again  by  not  a  few  of  us,  who  met  him  in  our  associa- 
tional  and  union  meetings ;  and  in  him  we  saw  a  noble 
and  encouraging  illustration  of  a  class  of  preachers  tliat 
we  may  well  pray  God  to  furnish  to  our  churches 
through  all  coming  time — men  of  sound  judgment, 
well-balanced  characters,  and  devoted  piety,  consecrat- 
ing themselves  in  mature  age  to  the  ministry  of  the 
gospel."     He  gave  much  time  to  the  preparation  of  his 


SOLOMON  FUNK  331 

sermons.  His  thoughts  were  clear  and  well  expressed, 
and  he  was  an  able  expounder  of  the  word  of  God.  He 
was  the  pastor  of  Singer's  Glen  Baptist  Church,  and 
often  preached  at  places  near  this  church.  His  sum- 
mons to  depart  came  June  13,  1880,  less  than  a  week 
after  his  return  to  his  home  from  the  meeting  of  the 
General  Association,  in  Petersburg.  He  was  survived 
by  his  wife  (who  was,  before  her  marriage.  Miss  Eliza- 
beth Koiner),  by  a  daughter,  and  by  several  brothers  and 
sisters. 


BARNAS  SEARS 

Virginia  Baptists  have  given  many  men  from  the  ranks 
of  their  ministry  to  other  states,  and  in  turn  have  received 
not  a  few  from  beyond  the  bounds  of  the  Old  Dominion. 
Some  men  have  come  to  Virginia,  and  there  won  name 
and  fame,  but  this  was  not  true  of  Barnas  Sears,  for 
when  he  moved  to  Staunton,  in  1867,  he  was  not  only 
advanced  in  years,  but  already  distinguished  as  an  edu- 
cator, an  author,  and  an  honored  leader  among  Baptists. 
Born  in  Sandisfield,  Mass.,  November  19,  1802,  grad- 
uating from  Brown,  in  1825,  with  the  highest  honors  of 
the  class,  after  two  years  spent  as  pastor  of  the  church 
in  Hartford,  Conn.,  he  became  professor  in  Hamilton 
(now  Colgate).  From  here,  in  1833,  he  went  to  Ger- 
many to  study.  While  there,  on  April  22,  1834,  at 
Altona,  opposite  Hamburg,  he  baptized,  in  the  Elbe, 
J.  G.  Oncken  and  six  others,  who,  through  the  influence 
of  Calvin  Tibbs,  a  sea  captain,  had  been  led  to  adopt 
Baptist  views ;  so  the  Baptist  work  of  the  nineteenth 
century  in  Germany  began.  Upon  his  return  from  Ger- 
many, after  being  first  professor  and  then  president  of 
Newton  Theological  Seminary,  in  1848,  he  was  elected 
secretary  and  executive  agent  of  the  Massachusetts 
Board  of  Education.  In  this  office  he  succeeded  Horace 
Mann,  each  of  them  receiving  a  salary  of  $1,500,  paid 
by  Mr.  Edmund  Dwight.  In  1855,  he  became  president 
of  Brown  University.  In  1841,  Harvard  had  conferred 
on  him  the  degree  of  D.  D.,  and,  in  1862,  Yale  that  of 
LL.  D.  He  had  written  the  following  books :  "Cice- 
roniana,  or  Prussian  Mode  of  Instruction  in  Latin," 
"Select  Treatises  of  Martin  Luther  in  the  Original  Ger- 
man," "Life  of  Luther,"  a  revised  edition  of  Roget's 
"Thesaurus,"  and  had  been  the  editor  of  the  Christian 
Rcviciv.  This  was  the  man  who  came  to  Virginia,  in 
1867,  as  the  first  agent  of  the  Peabody  Fund. 

332 


BARNAS  SEARS  333 

In   1866,   George    Peabody  gave  $1,200,000,   a    sum 
afterwards   increased   to  $3,500,000,    for   the   cause   of 
education  in  the  South.     The  Board  to  which  the  admin- 
istration of  this  fund  was  committed  invited  Dr.  Sears 
to  lay  before  them  suggestions  as  to  the  wisest  course 
for  them  to  pursue    in  their  work.      This  he  did   on 
March  14.  1867.     When  Joseph  interpreted  the  dreams 
of  Pharaoh,  the  king  said  to  his  servants,  "Can  we  find 
such  a  one  as  this?"  and  to  Joseph,  "Thou  shalt  be  over 
my  house  and   according  unto  thy   word   shall   all  my 
people  be  ruled."     In  like  manner  the  Peabody  Board 
called  Dr.   Sears  to  carry  out  the  plans  and  the  policy 
he  had  outlined.    This  they  did  on  March  20,  1867.     To 
this  work  he  gave  himself  until  his  death,  that  occurred 
at  Saratoga,  N.  Y.,  July  6,  1880.     When  Dr.  Sears  took 
up    his    work    the    situation    in    the    South    was    most 
depressing.        Poverty    and      disorganization    were    all 
around.      The   Southern   people   certainly   confronted   a 
most    serious   condition  of    things.       While  their  own 
heroism   and   wisdom  and   liberality   in  the   reestablish- 
ment  and  rehabilitation  of  their  educational  system  are 
not  to  be  forgotten,  neither  must  the  timely  help  of  the 
Peabody  Fund  be  left  out  of  count.     Perhaps  the  work 
of  Dr.  Sears  may  be  best  set  forth  here  in  the  words  of 
Dr.   Curry,  his  successor:    "Providentially,  Dr.   Barnas 
Sears  was  chosen,   and   he   'blocked   out'   the  plan   and 
details,  admirably  adapted  to  the  needs  of  the   South, 
and   from  March  30,    1867,  to  July  6,    1880,   executed 
them    with    economy    and    consummate    wisdom    and 
ability.     The  traditions  and  prejudices  on  the  one  hand, 
and  the  fanaticism  and  arrogant  demands  on  the  other, 
the  wild  expectations  of    both,  which  he    encountered, 
made    his    position    one    of    exceeding    difficulty    and 
delicacy.       His    patience,    courage,    industry,    sagacity, 
exact  knowledge  of  what  was  proper  and  common  sense, 
could  not  have  been  surpassed.     Mr.  Peabody  approved 


334         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

his  acts  and  gave  his  confidence  and  friendship;  the 
Trustees  generously  sustained ;  and  the  testimony 
should  be  given,  cheerfully  and  gratefully,  that  for  the 
success  of  the  administration  of  the  Peabody  Education 
Fund  the  Trustees,  the  South,  and  the  country,  are 
chiefly  indebted  to  Barnas  Sears." 

During  his  life  in  Virginia,  Dr.  Sears  entered  most 
heartily  into  cooperation  with  the  work  of  the  Baptists 
of  the  State.  To  begin  with  he  was  a  most  valuable 
addition  to  the  Staunton  Baptist  Church,  being  always 
interested  in  the  work  of  the  church,  the  pastor's  hearty 
supporter,  and  a  leader  whose  wisdom,  ability,  and 
Christlike  spirit  made  him  helpful  in  a  high  degree. 
Rev.  Dr.  G.  B.  Taylor,  the  pastor  of  the  church  when 
Dr.  Sears  came  to  Staunton,  in  an  anniversary  sermon, 
said  that  the  coming  to  Staunton  of  Dr.  Sears  and  Mr. 
John  Hart  "was  a  providential  blessing  to  the  Baptist 
cause."  Dr.  Taylor,  in  a  personal  letter,  tells  of  how, 
when  he  returned  to  the  Staunton  pastorate  after  two 
years  as  chaplain  of  the  University  of  Virginia,  Dr. 
Sears,  on  behalf  of  the  church,  "made  a  sweet,  touch- 
ing, beautiful,  little  address"  of  w^elcome.  Dr.  Charles 
Manly,  who  was  the  other  Staunton  pastor  Dr.  Sears 
had,  speaks  with  no  less  emphasis  of  his  kindness  and 
cooperation.  Dr.  Manly,  describing  his  arrival  in 
Staunton,  where  he  was  a  perfect  stranger,  says:  "We 
reached  the  place  about  3  o'clock  in  the  morning,  when 
we  were  met  by  one  of  the  deacons  of  the  church  and  by 
Dr.  Sears,  who  divided  between  them  the  entertainment 
of  my  family  till  a  dwelling  could  be  secured  for  our 
occupancy."  Remember  that  Dr.  Sears  was  at  this  time 
upwards  of  seventy  years  of  age.  Dr.  Manly  says 
further:  "He  always  kept  up  with  what  was  occupying 
the  attention  of  the  church,  and  was  always  ready  to 
second  every  movement  in  the  line  of  progress,  using 
freely  and  wisely  his  influence  and  means."  The  dis- 
cussion  of  the   public-school   question,    which    went    on 


BARNAS  SEARS  335 

for  some  time  in  the  columns  of  the  Religious  Herald, 
between  "Scrutator"  and  "Civis,"  was  most  able,  and 
attracted  general  attention.  For  some  time  it  was  not 
known  save  to  an  inner  circle  that  "Civis"  was  Prof.  B. 
Puryear,  of  Richmond  College,  and  "Scrutator,"  Dr. 
B.  Sears.  Dr.  Sears  was  "an  occasional  messenger 
from  his  church  to  the  General  Association,  and  for 
several  vears  an  honored  trustee  of  Richmond  College." 

Dr.  Sears'  residence  in  Staunton  was  on  a  high  hill 
overlooking  the  whole  town  and  with  extensive  grounds. 
Here  he  lived  in  his  handsomely  appointed  home,  and 
with  his  large  and  valuable  library,  like  a  philosopher,  yet 
very  distinctly  in  touch  with  the  community  and  the 
State  and  country.  Dr.  Sears  was  tall  and  of  command- 
ing" and  stately  appearance  and  manner,  yet  withal 
gentle,  approachable,  and  with  a  face  that  was  friendly, 
and  that  often  responded  with  a  pleasant  smile.  Dr. 
Manly  says  concerning  Dr.  Sears:  "As  to  his  character 
there  was  a  certain  stateliness  and  grandeur  about  it  that 
might  have  led  some  to  suppose  that  he  w'as  lacking  in 
gentleness  and  tenderness.  But  along  with  his  majestic 
nobility  there  was  a  delicate  considerateness  that  never 
failed  to  manifest  itself  appropriately.  .  .  .  Of  all 
the  men  I  have  ever  known,  Dr.  Sears  always  appeared 
to  me  to  be  one  of  the  wisest,  noblest,  and  best." 

Let  this  sketch  close  with  the  last  words  his  gifted 
pen  ever  wrote :  "Let  us  learn  to  think  modestly  of  our 
attainments,  and  wonderingly  at  the  unsolved  mysteries 
of  our  own  being,  of  nature,  and  of  Providence. 
Neither  Huxley  nor  Spencer  can  teach  us  all  things. 
The  time  may  come  when  they  and  we  and  all  the  men 
of  our  day  will  be  regarded  as  mere  smatterers  in  knowl- 
edge. What  we  know  not,  and  cannot  know  in  this 
age,  may  be  revealed  to  those  who  come  after  us. 
Humility  in  the  solemn  presence  of  a  mysterious  uni- 
verse, and  reverence  for  the  power  that  framed  it,  best 
becomes  those  who  are  but  the  creatures  of  a  day." 


CHARLES  RICHARD  DICKINSON 

On  April  23.  1824,  in  Orange  County,  Virginia, 
Charles  Richard  Dickinson,  the  fourth  son  of  Ralph  and 
Frances  Ann  Dickinson,  was  born.  While  it  was  in  the 
county  of  Orange,  in  which  county  "Montpelier,"  the 
stately  home  of  President  Madison,  was  located,  that  he 
was  born,  it  was  in  the  adjoining  county  of  Louisa  that 
almost  all  of  his  life  w^as  spent.  To  this  latter  county 
his  parents  moved  when  he  was  six  years  of  age.  When 
sixteen  years  old  he  was  converted  and  baptized  into  the 
fellowship  of  the  Foster's  Creek  (now  Berea)  Church, 
of  which  church  in  later  life  he  was  to  be  pastor.  After 
some  years  of  instruction  at  home,  he  entered  the  Vir- 
ginia Baptist  Seminary  (now  Richmond  College),  Dr. 
Robert  Ryland  being  then  its  president.  Here  he  did 
excellent  work,  and,  having  decided  to  become  a  physi- 
cian, went  to  Philadelphia  to  carry  on  his  medical 
studies.  In  1849,  he  graduated  in  medicine  and  was 
married.  His  wife,  who  was  Miss  Lucy  J.  Winston, 
soon  became  a  victim  to  consumption,  and  sank  into  an 
early  grave.  As  a  physician.  Dr.  Dickinson  was  popu- 
lar and  successful,  and  in  the  practice  of  his  profession 
he  continued  until  1868.  Before  this  time,  however, 
a  new  sphere  of  service  and  usefulness  had  opened  to 
him.  As  a  private  church  member  he  had  been  prompt 
and  faithful  to  duty,  devout  and  zealous  in  spirit,  a  true 
helper  to  his  pastor.  But  there  came  to  him  a  call  to  even 
fuller  Christian  work.  There  were  pastorless  churches 
nearby.  His  brethren  entreated  him  to  become  a  preacher, 
and  their  pastor.  After  earnest  prayer,  he  decided  that 
it  was  his  duty  to  take  this  step.  So,  in  1860,  he  was 
ordained  to  the  gospel  ministry,  the  Presbytery  consist- 
ing of  A.  M.  Poindexter,  James  B.  Taylor,  L.  J.  Haley, 
and   Stephen   Fasten;    Berea  calling   for  his  ordination 

336 


CHARLES  RICHARD  DICKINSON         2>Z7 

and  being  his  first  charge.  This  same  year  he  preached 
the  dedication  sermon  of  Beulah  Church,  became  her 
pastor,  and  continued  to  serve  this  flock  until  his  death. 
In  1862,  he  was  married  a  second  time,  his  second  wife 
being  Miss  Bertha  Valentine.  Of  his  first  marriage 
there  were  born  three  sons,  and  of  the  second,  five. 
During  the  course  of  his  ministry,  besides  Berea  and 
Beulah,  Dr.  Dickinson  served  for  longer  or  shorter 
periods :  Elk  Creek,  Fluvanna,  Bethel,  County  Line, 
and  Mount  Gilead  churches.  "As  a  preacher  he  ex- 
celled in  clearness  of  statement,  in  fitness  and  beauty  of 
illustration,  and  in  the  power  of  holding  the  attention 
of  his  hearers.  His  preaching,  being  chiefly  of  the  ex- 
pository kind,  was  always  rich  in  soul-winning  and  soul- 
feeding  truth,  sound  in  doctrine,  and  bright  and  fresh  in 
its  presentations.  As  a  pastor  he  was  faithful,  diligent, 
and  earnest,  with  exalted  views  of  the  duties  and  respon- 
sibilities of  the  ofiice.  In  his  relations  to  his  people  he 
was  tender,  sympathetic,  and  impartial.  .  .  .  He 
was  able  in  evangelistic  work  and  his  services  were  in 
great  demand  among  the  neighboring  pastors  for  holding 
protracted  meetings."  There  was  that  indescribable 
something  about  him  which  drew  people  to  him,  and  which 
has  come  to  be  called  magnetism.  His  manner  was  quiet 
and  his  voice  gentle.  He  was  fond  of  children  and  they 
of  him.  In  February,  1871,  he  was  appointed  as  one  of 
the  missionaries  of  the  Sunday-School  and  Bible  Board 
of  the  General  Association.  On  March  1st  he  entered 
upon  his  work,  visiting  Sunday-school  conventions,  and 
seeking  "to  diffuse  the  Sunday-school  spirit  among  the 
churches.''  In  1872,  he  became  general  superintendent 
of  Sunday  schools  and  colportage,  with  a  salary  of 
$1,000  a  year.  In  this  capacity  he  traveled  many  miles, 
delivered  a  large  number  of  sermons  and  addresses, 
attended  many  conventions,  wrote  hundreds  of  letters 
and  many  articles  for  the  papers,  mailed  over  400  cir- 


338         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

culars,  assisted  in  the  organization  of  forty-eight  new 
schools,  and  was  the  means  of  converting  seventy-five 
souls.  On  June  10th,  however,  he  gave  up  this  work 
and  returned  to  the  pastorate. 

During  the  Civil  War  he  went  security  for  some  of 
his  neighbors.  At  the  close  of  this  struggle  he  found 
himself  heavily  in  debt  by  reason  of  these  pledges. 
With  patience  and  determination  he  went  to  work  to 
pay  these  obligations.  He  established  at  his  home  what 
was  known  as  the  Green  Spring  Academy.  By  this  and 
by  other  means  he  was  able  to  meet  every  one  of  these 
burdensome  obligations.  Yet  his  period  of  heavy  trial 
was  not  over.  One  of  his  sons,  Ralph,  who  had  studied 
at  Richmond  College,  and  then  assisted  his  father  in  the 
academy,  a  young  man  of  unusual  promise,  sickened 
and  died.  Nor  was  this  all  of  Dr.  Dickinson's  cup  of 
sorrow.  One  of  the  students  in  the  school,  pointing 
what  he  supposed  was  an  unloaded  gun  at  Charles.  Dr. 
Dickinson's  third  son,  shot  him  and  caused  the  loss  of 
his  sight.  Almost  heart-broken,  and  with  health 
shattered  by  his  many  years  of  work  as  doctor,  preacher, 
farmer,  and  teacher,  he  "sank  slowly  but  surely  until 
death  brought  him  the  rest  of  heaven."  During  his  last 
days  he  called  his  children  around  him  and  said  to  them : 
"If  I  had  strength  for  only  three  words  to  you  I  would 
say,  'Love  your  God' ;  if  for  but  three  more  I  would 
say,  'Love  Jesus  Christ,'  and  if  for  but  three  more  I 
would  say,  'Love  your  mother.'  "  The  day  before  his 
death  he  said  to  his  wife,  who  sat  beside  him,  "I  bear 
testimony  to  the  worth,  the  richness,  the  power  of  the 
gospel  to  sustain  and  comfort  under  all  suffering." 
Some  hours  later  he  said,  when  he  was  beyond  the  reach 
of  human  aid :  "Here  comes  in  the  grace  of  Christ." 
On  July  11,  1880,  his  death  took  place.  Of  the  sons 
who  survived  him,  one  became  a  physician,  another  a 
lawyer,  and  three  ministers  of  the  gospel. 


JOHN  HENRY  LACY 

The  bounds  of  this  volume  take  us  ever  and  anon  to 
foreign  shores,  as  Virginians  by  birth  have  often  proved 
themselves  citizens  of  the  world  in  a  noble  sense,  as  they 
have  gone  far  away  to  the  Gentiles,  carrying  to  them 
the  Word  of  life.  John  Henry  Lacy  is  one  of  this 
goodly  company.  He  was  born  in  Halifax  County, 
Virginia,  December  15,  182L  On  the  fourth  Sunday 
of  November,  1842,  he  was  baptized  into  the  fellowship 
of  the  Millstone  Baptist  Church,  Dan  River  Association, 
by  Rev.  A.  M.  Poindexter.  North  Carolina  and  Rich- 
mond helped  him  in  his  education.  He  wrote :  "I  am 
under  obligations  to  Brother  E.  Dodson  for  my  first 
lessons  in  Greek.  I  also  taught,  and  studied  with 
Brother  J.  J.  James,  of  North  Carolina,  for  several 
years,  and  spent  six  months  at  the  Baptist  Seminary,  at 
Richmond,  in  1843.  These  are  about  all  the  oppor- 
tunities I  ever  had."  Mark  these  words.  He  was 
married  to  Miss  Olivia  E.  Barkley,  daughter  of  Elder 
J.  G.  Barkley,  of  North  Carolina,  May  1,  1853,  by  Rev. 
M.  R.  Forey,  of  Murfreesboro,  N.  C.  His  certificate  of 
ordination,  dated  July  1,  1850,  is  signed  by  the  follow- 
ing brethren :  Stephen  Pleasant,  Samuel  Wait,  Elias 
Dodson,  Isaac  Merriam,  John  L.  Prichard.  On  July  5, 
1853,  with  his  wife,  he  sailed  from  Boston,  via  England, 
for  Lagos,  Africa.  In  the  company,  bound  for  the 
same  field  of  labor,  were  Rev.  T.  J.  Bowen  and  Rev. 
J.  S.  Dennard  with  their  wives.  Alas !  in  almost  less 
than  a  year,  Mr.  Dennard  and  his  wife  were  in  their 
graves,  and,  in  1854,  the  Board  reported  that  they  were 
"deeply  afflicted  in  the  return  of  Brother  Lacy  to  this 
country."  Mr.  Lacy  had  gone  to  Abbeokuta  as  his  field 
of  labor,  but  being  threatened  with  total  blindness,  upon 

339 


340         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

the  advice  of  the  surgeon  of  the  Enghsh  Navy,  returned 
almost  immediately  to  America,  reaching  New  York, 
March  4,  1854. 

From  the  time  of  his  return  to  this  country  until  he 
died  he  lived  in  southern  Virginia,  the  section  of  the 
State  where  he  was  born  and  reared.  For  most  of  these 
years  he  was  pastor  to  one  or  more  churches.  During  this 
time  he  served  the  Danville,  Greenfield,  and  Chatham 
churches,  in  the  Roanoke  Association ;  and  Millstone, 
his  mother  church,  and  Hunting  Creek,  in  the  Dan 
River  Association.  He  was  at  the  General  Association, 
in  1856,  at  Lynchburg,  at  which  meeting  Rev.  George 
H.  Pearcy,  who  had  returned  from  China,  and  Rev. 
S.  Y.  Trimble,  an  accepted  missionary  for  Africa,  were 
also  present.  Towards  the  end  of  his  life  disease 
hindered  him  from  doing  active  work,  and  during  his 
last  five  years  he  was  a  great  sufferer,  for  much  of  this 
time  an  invalid.  In  all  his  afflictions  he  exhibited  an 
unmurmuring  patience  and  a  serene  faith.  His  death 
occurred  March  24,  1881. 


ROBERT  H.  LAND* 

Robert  H.  Land  was  born  in  Sussex  County,  Vir- 
ginia. October  11,  1821.  His  college  years  were  spent 
at  Richmond  and  Columbian  colleges,  his  spiritual  day 
dawning  for  him  while  he  was  at  the  former  of  these 
institutions.  At  Columbian  he  graduated,  in  1847,  in 
the  same  class  with  Hon.  Wm.  Stickney,  Judge  Joseph 
Christian  (of  the  Virginia  Supreme  Court),  and  others. 
He  soon  entered  the  ministry,  and  became  a  pastor  in 
his  native  county.  In  1853,  he  was  working  in  Mur- 
freesboro,  N.  C,  as  pastor  of  the  church,  and  as  a  pro- 
fessor in  the  Female  Institute  of  that  town.  Here  he 
married  his  second  wife,  and  then  moved  to  King  and 
Queen  County,  Virginia,  becoming  pastor  of  St. 
Stephen's,  Exol,  and  Colosse  churches.  Here  he  remained 
for  a  term  of  years.  Late  in  life  great  troubles  came 
upon  him  in  the  loss  of  his  parental  heritage.  This  was 
a  severe  blow,  yet  his  hope  remained  steadfast,  and  his 
preaching  was  never  more  acceptable  to  his  churches. 
On  April  22,  1881,  he  breathed  his  last  at  London,  King 
and  Queen  County,  in  the  midst  of  sorrowing  friends. 

*In  substance,  from  the  Minutes  of  the  General  Association,  1881. 


341 


JOSIAH  CLANTON  BAILEY* 


Josiah  Clanton  Bailey  was  born  in  Sussex  County, 
Virginia,  September  12,  1813.  In  early  life  he  married 
Miss  Sarah  Cooper,  a  beautiful  and  noble  woman, 
"whose  smile  cheered  and  whose  hand  helped  him  in 
the  labors  of  his  life,"  and  who  survived  him.  His 
ministry  began  when  he  was  quite  young,  and  he  re- 
ceived his  education  at  Richmond  College,  then  known 
as  the  Virginia  Baptist  Seminary.  Soon  after  his 
baptism  into  the  fellowship  of  the  High  Hills  Church 
(Portsmouth  Association),  he  was  called  to  the  pastor- 
ate of  this  flock.  At  various  times  he  was  pastor  of  the 
following  churches :  Antioch  and  Sappony,  in  Sussex 
County;  Fountain's  Creek,  Hicksford,  and  Zion,  in 
Greenesville  County ;  Hebron,  in  Southampton  County ; 
Reedy  Creek  and  James'  Square,  in  Brunswick  County ; 
Malone's,  in  Mecklenburg  County,  and  Cut  Banks,  in 
Dinwiddie  County.  Two  of  these  churches,  Hicksford 
and  Zion,  he  had  founded.  As  a  preacher  he  was  not 
the  able  and  distinguished  divine  that  under  different 
circumstances  he  might  have  been.  He  was,  as  a 
preacher,  comforting  rather  than  brilliant,  edifying 
rather  than  profound.  His  gospel  message  came  from 
a  heart  full  of  the  love  of  Christ  and  love  for  men.  The 
purity  of  his  life,  and  the  sweetness  of  his  nature  were 
his  loudest  sermons.  As  a  preacher,  prominent  man, 
and  leading  citizen  he  lived  for  nearly  fifty  years  in  one 
community.  He  was  essentially  a  modest  man,  and, 
though  of  commanding  presence  and  possessed  of  a 
stronge  voice,  he  seldom  arose  to  address  an  assembly 
of    his  brethren.       He  was  wonderfullv   free   from  the 


*Based  on  and  abridged  from  article  by  Rev.  Dr.  A.  E.  Owen,  in 
Religious  Herald,  January  12,   1882. 

342 


JOSIAH  CLANTON  BAILEY  343 

spirit  of  envy  and  jealousy.  His  kindness  to  young 
preachers  was  great.  He  took  them  to  his  home,  treated 
them  as  companions,  and  invited  them  into  his  pulpit. 
He  was  a  most  genial  and  considerate  man.  He  ruled 
his  household  with  the  power  that  springs  from  a  noble 
life  and  spotless  example.  He  was  the  father  of  four 
sons  and  three  daughters.  Two  of  his  sons  died  before 
reaching  manhood,  and  his  oldest  daughter  became  the 
w^ife  of  Rev.  C.  T.  Bailey,  for  many  years  editor  of  the 
Biblical  Recorder.  His  death  was  sudden.  On  Mon- 
day, December  19,  1881,  about  1  o'clock  in  the  morn- 
ing, he  was  smitten  w4th  heart  disease,  and  in  less  than 
an  hour  his  end  came.  Two  days  later  the  funeral  took 
place,  at  which  time,  amidst  the  sobs  of  the  people  to 
whom  his  life  had  been  a  blessing,  Dr.  A.  E.  Owen 
preached  the  funeral  sermon. 


CHARLES  QUARLES 

In  the  ranks  of  the  Virginia  Baptist  ministry  there 
have  been  very  many  men  who,  either  before,  or  along 
with,  their  work  for  the  cure  of  souls,  have  cared  for 
the  cure  of  bodily  disease,  doing  good  service  in  both 
these  noble  callings.  To  this  class  Charles  Ouarles 
belonged.  He  was  born,  ,May  13,  1813,  in  Louisa 
County,  Virginia,  his  mother  being  an  admirable  and 
devout  woman.  When  about  sixteen  years  of  age  "he 
became  the  subject  of  converting  grace,"  and  was 
baptized  into  the  fellowship  of  the  Mechanicsville  Baptist 
Church  (Goshen  Association).  His  life  as  a  private 
church  member  was  a  model  one — full  of  zeal  and 
energy ;  ready  for  every  good  work  and  word ;  a 
pattern  of  promptness,  integrity,  and  piety."  With  the 
help  of  his  brother,  John  R.  Ouarles,  Charles  Goodman, 
and  William  Cowherd,  "he  made  his  church  one  of  the 
most  prominent  and  efficient  bodies  in  the  upper  part 
of  the  Association."  His  education  was  a  good  and 
liberal  one,  leading  at  last  to  his  graduation  at  the  Uni- 
versity of  Pennsylvania.  His  chosen  profession  of 
medicine  was  so  earnestly  and  conscientiously  followed 
that  his  services  were  in  wide  and  constant  demand, 
and  success  attended  him  also  as  a  farmer,  and  along 
other  lines  of  business.  However,  he  felt  called  to  the 
ministry,  and  on  Christmas  Day,  1854,  he  was  ordained 
at  Mechanicsville  Church.  He  gave  up  a  lucrative 
practice  that  promised  eminence  and  opulence  to  enter 
what  he  regarded  as  a  higher  calling.  "His  call  to  the 
ministry  was  revealed  by  the  urgency  of  events — im- 
perative duties  rising  up  and  leading  him  gradually  and 
step  by  step  into  the  work  until  he  felt  himself  shut  up 
to  this  one  thing."  He  soon  became  pastor  of  the 
church  which  had  ordained  him,  the  church  into  whose 

344 


CHARLES  QUARLES  345 

fellowship  he  had  been  baptized,  the  only  church  to 
which  he  ever  belonged,  and  to  which  he  belonged  to 
the  end  of  his  life;  and  this  pastorate  he  filled  until 
death  came.  He  was  also  pastor  of  the  North 
Pamunkey  and  Zion  churches  for  more  than  twenty 
years.  For  a  shorter  period  he  was  pastor  of  Berea  and 
other  flocks.  His  ministry  was  highly  useful  to  his 
people,  his  preaching  being  hortatory,  tender,  persuasive, 
inclining  rather  towards  practical  than  towards 
doctrinal  truth.  He  was  an  affectionate  pastor,  a 
courteous  gentleman,  an  honorable,  self-sacrificing  man. 
After  he  became  a  minister  he  was  a  laborious  student, 
becoming  "acquainted  with  all  the  philosophical  and 
moral  questions  of  the  day.  He  left  behind  a  very 
valuable  library — standard  works  in  the  departments  of 
medicine,  science,  theology,  and  general  literature." 

In  the  field  of  Sunday-school  work  he  was  a  pioneer, 
doing  work  that  brought  him  distinction  and  his  district 
blessing  and  fame.  He  was  the  first  Sunday-school 
missionary  of  the  Goshen  Association.  "Many  new 
schools  were  organized,  old  ones  resuscitated,  and  an 
impetus  given  to  the  cause,  which  was  felt"  for  years. 
But  for  his  labors  his  section  would  not  have  received 
from  an  agent  of  the  American  Sunday-School  Union 
the  verdict  that  it  was  the  best  organized  country  district 
in  the  United  States.  The  Sunday-school  work  was  near 
his  heart,  and  his  love  for  little  children  was  unbounded. 
In  his  home  life  he  was  greatly  blessed.  His  wife, 
faithful  and  devoted,  the  joy  and  solace  of  his  life,  sur- 
vived him.  His  two  daughters,  though  themselves 
mothers  of  homes,  were  able  to  minister  to  him  in  his 
declining  days.  The  end  of  his  life  was  in  hannony 
with  the  rest  of  his  record.  "The  w^eek  preceding  his 
death  he  spent  at  the  church,  where  a  protracted  meet- 
ing was  in  progress.  It  was  a  melting  scene,  when, 
raised  from  his    couch  and  held  in  the  arms  of    some 


346         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

brother,  he  would  press  the  hand  and  whisper  a  word 
of  loving  counsel  in  the  ear  of  young  converts.  The 
evening  before  his  departure,  he  conducted,  as  had  been 
his  custom  for  many  years,  private  worship  in  his 
chamber  with  his  wife  and  little  grandchildren.  When 
the  morning  light  broke  on  earth,  he  was  in  glory."  His 
death  took  place,  August  20,  1881,  near  the  spot  where 
he  was  born,  at  his  beautiful  family  residence,  "Ingle- 
wood,"  Louisa  County,  Virginia. 


SAMUEL  B.  BARBER* 

Samuel  B.  Barber  was  born  in  Fauquier  County,  Vir- 
ginia, in  1835.  He  professed  conversion  and  joined 
the  Methodists  on  probation,  at  old  Rock  Hill,  Stafford 
County,  in  1857.  Before  his  probation  was  out,  how- 
ever, he  was  reimmersed  by  the  pastor,  Rev.  A.  H. 
Spilman,  into  the  fellowship  of  the  Mount  Holly 
Baptist  Church,  Fauquier  County.  He  studied  at  the 
University  of  Virginia,  having  as  one  of  his  fellow- 
students,  A.  E.  Dickinson.  In  1860,  he  was  licensed 
to  preach,  and  served  in  the  Confederate  Army,  first  as 
colporter  and  then  as  chaplain.  He  was  ordained  at 
Grove  Church  (Potomac  Association),  in  1865  or  1866, 
Elders  Payne  and  A.  H.  Bennett  constituting  the 
Presbytery.  For  the  next  eleven  years,  for  shorter  or 
longer  periods,  he  was  the  pastor  of  Grove,  Mount 
Holly,  Oakland,  Zoar,  and  Rappahannock  churches.  In 
1870,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Addie  C.  Wallace,  of 
Stafford  County.  In  1877,  he  was  recommended  by  the 
acting  board  of  the  Potomac  Association  to  labor  in 
Loudoun  County,  but,  as  the  project  miscarried,  he  soon 
moved  to  Manassas,  and  confined  his  labors  to  that 
vicinity,  serving  Antioch  Church,  Prince  William 
County,  until  his  death,  which  occurred  at  his  home  near 
Gainesville,  Prince  William  County,  November  8,  1881. 
He  was  a  good  preacher  with  intellectual  gifts  above  the 
average.  A  deep  cold,  which  he  contracted  in  meeting 
one  of  his  appointments  in  the  winter  of  1880-81,  went 
into  consumption,  which  rapidly  undermined  his  appar- 
ently vigorous  constitution.  He  left  a  widow  and  five 
children. 


*Based  on  and  abbreviated  from  article  of  Rev.  F.  H.  James,  in 
Religious  Herald,  December  22,  1881. 

347 


ISAAC  S.  TINSLEY 

Isaac  S.  Tinsley  was  born  November  6,  1806,  in 
Franklin  County,  Virginia.  At  the  early  age  of  twelve 
he  embraced  religion,  and  became  a  Baptist.  When  still 
quite  young  he  placed  himself,  in  company  with  A.  M. 
Poindexter,  under  the  care  and  instruction  of  Rev. 
Abner  Clopton,  of  Charlotte  County,  with  a  view  to  the 
gospel  ministry.  The  records  at  hand  do  not  show  the 
churches  to  which  he  first  ministered,  but  in  1838  he  be- 
came pastor  of  the  Charlottesville  Church.  During  this 
pastorate  crowds  hung  upon  his  preaching,  and  the  mem- 
bership of  the  church  was  more  than  doubled.  In  1839, 
he  was  chairman  of  a  committee  appointed  by  the  Albe- 
marle Association  to  report  on  the  best  way  of  raising 
a  fund  for  the  help  of  widows  and  orphans  of  deceased 
Baptist  ministers  of  the  body.  In  1841,  he  was  moder- 
ator of  the  Association,  in  the  session  at  Priddie's  Creek. 
Upon  the  recommendation  of  Hon.  W.  C.  Rives.  Mr. 
Tinsley  was  appointed  chaplain  of  Congress,  holding 
this  position  during  the  session  of  1843-44.  When  he 
left  Washington  he  became  pastor  again  in  Albemarle 
County,  from  whence  he  went  to  a  field  in  Appomattox 
County.  Towards  the  end  of  his  life  he  was  pastor  of 
churches  in  Pittsylvania  County.  For  about  a  year  be- 
fore his  death  he  was  ill,  the  end  coming  October  11, 
1881.  A  few  days  before  his  death  he  wrote  to  a 
brother :  "My  health  is  still  bad  and  I  sensibly  feel  that 
with  me  the  time  is  short,  but  the  Lord  has  been  in- 
finitely good  to  me  notwithstanding  all  my  ingratitude, 
weaknesses,  and  sins,  in  permitting  me  so  long  to  labor 
in  His  cause,  while  nearly  all  my  early  companions  in 
ministerial  toils  are  gone.  When  the  Great  Com- 
mander shall  order  that  I  lay  my  armor  down,  I  trust 
to  be  ready,  without  a  discontented  feeling,  to  yield 
implicit  obedience  to  His  will,  who,  in  the  depths  of 
infinite  wisdom, 

'Treasures  up  His  bright  designs, 
And  works  His  sovereign  will.'" 


LEWIS  P.  FELLERS 

It  has  not  been  easy  to  secure  accurate  information 
concerning  Lewis  P.  Fellers,  although  only  thirty  years 
have  passed  since  his  death,  and  although  there  are  many 
still  living  who  knew  and  loved  him.  Some  of  the  facts 
given  in  this  sketch  are  supported  by  tradition  rather 
than  by  reliable  data.  This  statement  is  made  that  atten- 
tion may  be  called  to  the  importance  of  more  accurate 
family  and  public  records.  July  8th  saw  the  birth  and 
also  the  death  of  Lewis  P.  Fellers.  The  year  1809 
began  and  1882  ended  his  earthly  career.  While 
Franklin  County,  Virginia,  gave  him  birth,  a  large  part 
of  his  life  was  spent  in  Botetourt  County.  To  this  sec- 
tion he  came  when  quite  a  young  man,  finding  a  home 
in  the  Mill  Creek  neighborhood,  with  Mr.  William 
Obenchain,  in  order  to  learn  the  trade  of  wheelwright. 
While  originally  a  Methodist,  a  careful  searching  of  the 
Scriptures  led  him  to  become  a  Baptist.  He  united  with 
Mill  Creek  Church,  by  which  body  he  was  afterwards 
licensed  and  ordained  to  preach.  On  October  29,  1829, 
he  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  Fesler,  whom  he  had  met 
and  learned  to  love  under  the  roof  of  Mr.  Obenchain. 
It  may  have  been  before  this  time  that  he  came  to  live 
in  Fincastle.  Here  his  association  with  Rev.  A.  C. 
Dempsey  began.  From  this  good  man  he  seems  to  have 
been  instructed  in  the  trade  of  cabinet  making,  and  also 
in  the  work  of  preaching  the  gospel. 

His  work  as  a  preacher  appears  to  have  brought  him, 
at  least  at  times,  small  financial  compensation.  Like 
Paul  of  old  he  worked  with  his  hands  for  his  support. 
His  family  was  a  large  one.  Notwithstanding  the 
obstacles  in  his  way  he  was  in  labors  for  God  and  the 
extension  of  the  Kingdom  of  Heaven  abundant.     At  the 

349 


350         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

time  of  his  death  Rev.  J.  W.  Wildman  said  of  him : 
"Through  his  labors  is  largely  due  our  present  numerical 
strength  and  efficiency  in  Botetourt  County."  When  it 
was  necessary  he  was  ready  to  defend  the  religious  views 
he  held,  and  was  fearless  in  attacking  error,  yet  he  had 
the  affection  and  confidence  of  the  people.  First  and  last 
he  ministered  to  the  churches :  Zion's  Hill,  Catawba, 
Pleasant  Hill,  and  New  Bethel.  Since  he  was  so 
arduous  a  worker,  and  yet  often  received  meager  sup- 
port, it  is  pleasant  to  know  that,  at  least  once,  let  us  hope 
oftener,  he  received  help  from  the  Ministers'  Relief 
Fund.  On  Saturday  evening  he  fell  asleep.  In  many  a 
home  in  the  town  of  Fincastle  are  yet  to  be  seen  articles 
of  furniture  made  by  his  hands.  Throughout  the  County 
of  Botetourt  are  many  hearts  that  received  the  gospel,  as 
their  only  way  of  salvation,  under  the  preaching  of  this 
man  of  God. 


WILLIAM  T.  LINDSEY 

The  minutes  of  the  General  Association  for  1882 
chronicle  the  death  of  Rev.  Wm.  T.  Lindsey  as  having 
taken  place  in  Richmond,  when  he  had  reached  the  ripe 
age  of  eighty-two.  The  Religious  Herald,  of  January 
12,  1882,  in  an  editorial  paragraph,  records  his  death  as 
having  taken  place  the  previous  week,  and  states  that  in 
the  early  part  of  his  ministry  he  was  quite  active  in  the 
Peninsula,  and  that  for  some  years  he  had  been  too 
feeble  for  pastoral  work.  For  a  number  of  years  his 
name  appears  in  the  minutes  of  the  General  Association, 
in  the  list  of  ministers  his  address  being  Richmond.  The 
minutes  for  1855  show  that  he  was  pastor  of  the 
Williamsburg  (African)  Church,  which  at  that  time  had 
351  members,  and  that  year  reports  thirty-five  baptisms. 
Further  information  concerning  this  "good  man,"  this 
"earnest  and  useful  Christian,"  has  not  been  secured. 


351 


ARMISTEAD  H.  OGDEN 

The  record  of  the  Hfe  of  Armistead  H.  Ogden,  as  found 
in  this  sketch,  is  taken  mainly  from  the  Religious  Herald, 
that  rich  treasure  house  of  information  about  the  history 
of  Virginia  Baptists.  The  article  from  which  the  facts 
here  given  are  taken  was  written  by  Mr.  L.  Minor,  a 
Presbyterian  living  in  the  neighborhood  of  Corner  Stone 
Church,  Amherst  County,  Virginia.  Mr.  Minor's 
article  is  prefaced  in  the  Herald  by  an  extended  editorial 
tribute  to  Mr.  Ogden.  He  was  born  in  the  northern 
part  of  Bedford  County,  Virginia,  about  1805,  of 
religious  parents,  his  mother  especially  being  devout. 
He  was  taught,  at  a  very  common  school,  to  read,  write, 
and  cipher.  We  are  told  by  this  man  who  knew  him 
well,  that,  to  judge  from  his  life,  the  teacher  and  the 
only  teacher  under  whom  he  graduated  was  the  Holy 
Ghost.  The  record  shows  us  next  the  man  of  whom  we 
are  thinking,  as  preacher  and  pastor.  His  wife,  who  was 
Miss  Martha  White,  of  Bedford  County,  survived  him. 
Five  miles  away  from  where  he  was  born,  in  the  County 
of  Amherst,  stands  the  Corner  Stone  Baptist  Church. 
To  this  church  he  ministered  for  a  long  series  of  years. 
Through  all  these  years  he  did  not  rise  to  any  great 
eminence  as  a  preacher,  but  his  life  was  a  great  sermon. 
An  ardent  student  of  the  Bible,  under  the  guidance  of 
the  Holy  Spirit,  he  lived  the  principles  and  precepts  of 
the  good  Book  day  by  day.  The  general  verdict  as  to 
him  was:  "That's  a  good  man."  Since  the  church 
never  adequately  supported  him  he  gave  considerable 
attention  to  his  farm,  but  in  this  phase  of  his  life  his 
religion  was  not  obscured,  but,  on  the  contrary,  became 
the  more  luminous.  In  his  business  affairs  he  exhibited 
good  judgment  and  tact,  as  well  as  piety.     He  was  a 

352 


ARMISTEAD  H.  OGDEN  353 

large  tobacco  grower,  and  "one  Saturday  morning  in 
October,  when  frost  may  be  expected  without  warning, 
its  approach  was  indicated  by  a  sharp  south  wester."  It 
was  the  day  for  him  to  go  to  Bedford  to  fill  one  of  his 
regular  appointments.  What  must  he  do?  If  he  went 
away,  leaving  the  tobacco  standing,  a  frost  in  his  absence 
would  mean  a  heavy  loss.  On  the  other  hand  there  was 
his  appointment  in  Bedford.  After  some  hesitation  he 
decided  to  go  to  his  appointment.  When  he  had  ridden 
some  miles  he  noticed  that  as  the  day  advanced  the 
weather  became  colder.  He  stopped  and  had  another 
conflict  with  Satan.  But  the  voice  of  duty,  that  is  the 
voice  of  God,  prevailed,  and  he  mounted  his  horse  and 
went  on  to  his  appointment.  Before  night  the  weather 
changed,  and  he  cut  from  the  field  which  had  caused  his 
temptation  as  fine  tobacco  as  he  had  ever  raised.  At 
another  time  he  was  in  debt  for  a  piece  of  land  he  had 
purchased.  A  large  tobacco  crop,  by  which  he  hoped 
to  meet  his  obligation,  was  a  very  fine  one  and  just 
ready  to  cut.  Just  at  this  juncture,  he  saw  one  after- 
noon a  terrible-looking  cloud  approaching,  with  full 
promise  of  wind  and  hail,  which  would  utterly  destroy 
the  splendid  crop.  He  went  into  his  tobacco  house, 
which  was  his  "closet,"  and  was  often  visited  for 
similar  errands,  and  laid  his  case  before  the  Lord.  On 
coming  out  he  found  that  the  cloud  had  split  just  before 
reaching  his  tobacco,  utterly  devastating  two  neighbors' 
fields.  The  character  of  the  man  is  shown  by  another 
incident.  A  very  lazy  fellow  in  the  neighborhood  called 
on  him  very  often  to  borrow  a  barrel  of  corn  or  other 
provisions.  At  last  the  preacher's  patience  and  gener- 
osity had  grown  rather  threadbare.  And  upon  the 
remonstrance  of  his  wife  he  decided  not  to  help  the 
man  and  sent  him  off.  Afterward,  upon  thinking  of 
how^  the  man's  family  of  little  children  might  suffer,  he 
pursued  the  fellow  and  told  him  to  go  to  a  certain  clump 


12 


354         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

of  bushes,  out  of  sight  of  the  house,  at  a  certain  hour, 
and  that  he  would  find  there  a  turn  of  corn.  In  telling 
the  story  he  would  laugh  and  say  that  this  was  the  first 
time  he  had  ever  heard  of  a  man  stealing  from  himself 
to  give  away.  An  old  corn  house,  standing  some  dis- 
tance from  his  dwelling,  was  his  Bethel.  During  the 
last  summer  of  his  life,  his  little  grandson,  some  nine 
or  ten  years  of  age,  would  tell  his  grandmother  he  was 
sure  they  were  going  to  have  a  good  time  at  the  prayer- 
meeting  that  night,  for  his  grandfather  had  been  pray- 
ing for  it  in  the  old  corn  house.  Two  summers  before 
his  death  the  Association  met  at  Corner  Stone  Church. 
He  was  active  in  seeing  that  the  brethren  were  heartily 
welcomed  and  made  comfortable.  With  meekness  and 
with  melting  eye  he  listened  to  the  proceedings  of  the 
body.  With  his  majestic  physique,  tall,  erect,  hand- 
some, he  was  a  striking  figure,  not  unlike  J.  B.  Jeter. 
There  was  a  softened,  mellow  charm  about  him  that 
was  not  of  this  world.  His  interest  in  the  cause  of 
Christ  was  beautiful,  blending  the  glowing  zeal  of  youth 
and  the  chastened  temper  of  age.  He  was  a  striking 
specimen  of  the  old-time  Baptist  preachers.  When  the 
Association  was  ended  he  was  interested  in  arranging 
for  preaching  by  one  of  the  brethren  who  remained  over. 
He  came  for  the  preacher,  walking  over  a  rugged  road, 
spoke  of  certain  persons  whom  he  was  anxious  to  see 
reached  by  the  sermon,  and  prayed  mightily  for  the 
Spirit's  presence  in  the  service.  On  December  18,  1882, 
in  the  seventy-seventh  year  of  his  age,  this  venerable 
preacher  and  good  man  passed  to  his  reward.  He  was 
pastor  for  many  years  of  a  field  made  up  of  these  four 
churches :  Hunting  Creek,  Bedford  County ;  Corner 
Stone,  Amherst  County;  Prospect,  Amherst  County, 
and  Natural  Bridge,  Rockbridge  County.  He  was  the 
father  of  twelve  children,  of  whom  eight  lived  to  be 
grown  up.  The  only  one  of  his  children  now  living  is 
Mrs.  John  Saunders  Woolfolk,  of  Glasgow,  Va. 


WILLIAM  LOGWOOD  HATCHER 

William  Logwood  Hatcher  was  born  on  the  North 
Fork  of  the  Otter  River,  Bedford  County,  Virginia, 
January'  31,  1806.  His  father  died  when  he  was  young, 
and  the  cares  of  a  large  ^^amily  fell  to  his  lot — the  oldest 
boy.  The  responsibility  was  great,  but  he  measured  up 
to  it.  Educational  advantages  were  not  then  as  now, 
and  he  had  to  grow  up  with  a  limited  education.  Desir- 
ing to  have  an  education  he  improved  his  spare  evenings 
at  home  with  the  few  books  he  could  get. 

In  July,  1831,  he  attended  revival  services  at  Quaker's 
Meeting  House,  conducted  by  Rev.  William  Leftwich, 
and  accepted  Christ  as  his  Saviour.  In  August,  there- 
after, he  was  received  and  baptized  into  the  member- 
ship of  Morgan's  Meeting  House,  by  Rev.  Wm.  Left- 
wich. His  church  soon  saw  that  he  had  talent  and  could 
do  good,  and  he  was  licensed  to  preach.  Being  modest 
and  retiring,  he  failed  to  exercise  his  gifts  while  in  his 
native  county. 

On  the  6th  of  November.  1832,  he  was  married  to 
Miss  Nancy  Hurt,  of  Bedford  County.  Three  years 
thereafter  he  moved  to  the  County  of  Roanoke,  and 
settled  in  the  Bend  of  Roanoke  River,  six  miles  west  of 
Salem — the  county  seat.  There  were  no  Baptists 
around  him,  and  only  two  between  him  and  Salem,  and 
none  in  the  county  west  of  him.  However  timid  he  felt 
about  preaching"  in  his  native  Bedford,  he  resolved  now 
to  enter  the  wide-open  field  before  him,  and  do  what  he 
could  for  the  Master.  In  1843,  after  four  years  of 
successful  labor,  he  was  ordained  at  Blacksburg,  in 
Montgomery  County.  The  Presbytery  consisted  of 
Revs.  Nash  Johnston,  Lewis  P.  Fellers,  Joshua  Bradley, 
and  Aaron  Newman. 

355 


356         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

In  1839,  he  accepted  the  care  of  North  Fork  Church, 
in  Montgomery  County,  and  three  years  after  that  it 
was  moved  to  the  top  of  the  Alleghany  Mountains,  and 
changed  its  name  to  Alleghany  Church.  After  ten  years' 
service,  during  which  the  church  had  many  additions 
and  was  greatly  strengthened,  he  resigned.  In  1843, 
he  accepted  the  pastorate  of  Laurel  Ridge  Church,  in 
Roanoke  County,  which  he  served  thirty  years.  His 
work  there  was  a  vakiable  one.  In  1848,  he  became 
pastor  of  Salem  Church,  which  worshipped  in  a  school- 
house,  in  the  Bend,  because  too  feeble  to  maintain  itself 
in  Salem.  Here  his  labors  were  so  successful  that,  in 
1854,  the  members  resolved  to  build  a  good  house  for 
the  Lord.  On  the  opposite  side  of  the  river  they  built 
a  large  brick  house,  which  was  dedicated  August  29,  1855. 
The  name  was  then  changed  to  Fort  Lewis.  He  served 
this  church  twenty-nine  years.  Declining  health  made 
it  necessary  for  him  to  retire  from  the  pastorate ;  this 
he  did  October,  1877. 

He  was  a  preacher  forty-four  years,  and  thirty-five 
years  an  ordained  minister.  Without  remuneration  he 
did  a  great  deal  of  missionary  work  in  Roanoke  and 
Montgomery  counties.  His  was  pioneer  work.  He 
cleared  the  way,  organized  churches,  and  built  houses 
of  worship.  So  successful  was  he  that  the  leading 
denominations  opposed  him  and  closed  their  houses  of 
worship  against  him.  He  then  preached  in  the  grove 
in  the  summer  and  in  private  houses  in  the  winter.  He 
worked  hard  on  his  farm  during  the  week,  and  preached 
every  Sabbath.     His  Bible  was  his  one  book  of  study. 

During  this  time  he  raised  a  large  family,  every  one 
of  which,  that  grew  up.  becoming  a  Christian  ere  the 
father  passed  away.  Five  of  the  twelve  children  still 
live  to  honor  their  Saviour  and  do  good.  Brother 
Hatcher  possessed  a  kind  heart,  and  was  always  ready 
to  attribute   good   motives,  were   it   possible.      He   was 


WILLIAIM  LOGWOOD  HATCHER  357 

prompt  to  forgive  an  injury  and  to  pray  for  his  enemies, 
if  any  he  had.  He  was  very  popular  in  his  churches 
and  community,  and  truly  a  valuable  neighbor.  On  the 
evening  of  November  18,  1882,  in  his  seventy-seventh 
year,  the  death  angel  called  for  him  and  he  left  all, 
without  a  struggle,  and  followed  him  to  the  Christian's 
home  in  glory. 

His  companion,  who  had  so  willingly  shared  with 
him  the  trials  and  struggles  of  life  for  fifty  years,  re- 
mained here  for  a  little  while  longer,  and  then  joined 
her  sainted  husband  in  the  heavenly  home. 

W.  J.  Shipman. 


WARREN  G.  ROANE* 

While  many  of  our  Virginia  Baptist  ministers  have 
lived  to  a  good  old  age,  some  have  fallen  in  their  early 
manhood,  when  to  human  eye  it  seemed  as  though  they 
had  only  commenced  their  career.  Yet  so  it  has  been 
with  men  in  other  walks  of  life.  Indeed,  some  of  the 
world's  greatest  men  have  died  when  they  were  young 
men.  Of  this  number  Raphael,  the  great  painter,  is  an 
illustrious  example  ;  he  died  when  he  was  only  thirty-seven 
years  old.  The  Pantheon,  that  noble  building  in  Rome, 
which  was  erected  some  twenty-five  years  before  the 
birth  of  Christ,  is  his  last  resting  place.  The  course  of 
the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  brief.  Warren  G.  Roane 
was  born  in  Caroline  County,  Virginia,  December  31, 
1852.  In  his  early  youth  he  made  profession  of  his 
faith  in  Christ,  and  united  with  the  Massaponax  Baptist 
Church.  Spottsylvania  County,  Goshen  Association.  He 
was  ordained  to  the  gospel  ministry  in  September,  1875, 
the  Presbytery  consisting  of  Elders  James  D.  Coleman, 
L.  J.  Haley,  E.  G.  Baptist,  and  T.  S.  Dunaway.  He 
became  at  once  pastor  of  Waller's  Church,  Spottsyl- 
vania County,  where  he  remained  some  three  years. 
Next  he  became  pastor  of  Upper  Essex  and  Mount  Zion 
churches,  in  Essex  County.  Here,  also,  his  pastorate 
lasted  some  three  years.  At  the  time  of  his  death  his 
field  consisted  of  three  churches,  namely,  Louisa  Court- 
house, Cedar  Run  (Culpeper  County),  and  Beulah 
(Fluvanna  County).  "He  was  a  Christian  gentleman 
of  noble  nature,  gentle  manner,  elevated  aims,  chivalrous 
bearing,  and  a  cultured  mind.  As  a  preacher  he  was 
self-possessed,  clear,  logical,  forcible,  and  sound.  He 
was  constantly  growing  in  pulpit  power,  and  his  last 
sermons  were  his  best.  As  a  Christian  he  was  deeply 
pious,  simple-minded,  and  guileless.  .  .  .  He  bore 
unmurmuringly  the  long  and  wasting  sickness  which 
closed  his  earthly  labors  and  brought  him  to  his 
heavenly  rest." 


*Based  on  Minutes  of  General  Association.     Obituary  by  A.   C. 
Barron. 

358 


ELIJAH   WHITE   ROACH 

In  a  country  churchyard,  in  Charlotte  County,  there 
stands  a  modest  stone  over  the  grave  of  one  of  the  most 
useful  and  beloved  pastors  of  the  Baptists  of  Virginia. 
For,  fifty-three  years  the  pastor  of  one  church,  while  at 
the  same  time  having  charge  of  other  fields,  is  an  un- 
usual record,  and  at  once  marks  the  preacher  as  a  man 
of  gifts  extraordinary.  This  church  was  Salem,  and 
others  which  enjoyed  his  rich  and  fruitful  ministry 
were  Spring  Creek,  Falling,  Red  House,  Union  Hill, 
Midway,  Rough  Creek,  Bethel,  and  Brookneal.  In  this 
community  in  which  he  lived  he  conducted  gracious 
revivals  from  year  to  year  and  baptized,  according  to 
the  record  which  he  himself  kept,  something  near  5,000 
people,  white  and  black.  Fittingly  is  it  said  on  the 
monument  over  his  grave :  "They  that  turn  many  to 
righteousness  shall  shine  as  the  stars  forever  and  ever." 

The  more  interesting  is  the  success  of  this  life  when  it 
is  remembered  that  he  was  born  and  reared  and  educated 
and  lived  and  wrought  and  died  in  this  same  community. 
His  father  was  a  farmer  and  endeavored  to  give  all  of 
his  children  such  educational  opportunities  as  the  county 
then  afforded,  but  the  young  man  offered  to  relinquish 
all  his  claims  on  his  father's  estate,  if  only  he  might 
have  further  advantages.  He  continued  on  the  farm 
until  his  seventeenth  year,  at  which  time  a  teacher  of 
more  than  usual  attainments  was  secured  for  the  neigh- 
borhood, and  young  Roach,  being  a  good  mathematician, 
exchanged  his  knowledge  of  arithmetic  and  algebra  and 
geometry  for  instruction  in  the  classics.  He  proved 
himself  a  most  zealous  student,  carrying  his  books  in 
his  pockets  with  him  about  his  work,  and  soon  obtained 
a  position  as  teacher.  His  eyesight  became  impaired  on 
account  of  close  night  study,  and  he  finally  abandoned 
the  idea  of  a  college  course. 

359 


360         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

In  this  twentieth  year  he  made  a  profession  of  rehgion 
and  united  with  a  Baptist  Church,  and  for  several  years 
was  an  active  supporter  and  helper  in  every  phase 
of  the  work.  His  ministry  from  the  first  was  closely 
associated  with  Witt,  Poindexter,  McAlister,  and  Clop- 
ton.  Rev.  Abner  Clopton  wrought  more  wisely  than 
he  knew  when  he  multiplied  the  fruitage  of  his  own  life 
by  giving  much  of  his  time  to  instructing  these  young 
men,  who  subsequently  became  so  useful  and  so  distin- 
guished. In  no  case  was  this  more  true  than  in  E.  W. 
Roach,  for  from  Mr.  Clopton  he  received  impressions 
which  were  never  effaced,  and  which  showed  themselves 
in  the  younger  man's  powerful  preaching  and  faithful 
labors. 

In  1832,  E.  W.  Roach  was  licensed  to  preach,  he  in- 
sisting that  the  church  give  another  three  months  of 
prayerful  consideration  to  the  matter  before  taking 
action.  In  the  meantime,  a  Presbyterian  clergyman 
preached  a  sermon  in  his  hearing  on  the  responsibility 
of  one  called  to  be  a  watchman,  and  this  sermon  was 
used  of  God  to  settle  the  long-fought-out  question.  In 
1833,  the  church  edifice  at  Midway  was  built,  the  church 
of  thirteen  members  having  been  constituted.  Mr.  R'^ach 
was  ordained  as  its  pastor,  and  the  membership  very 
rapidly  increased. 

Just  as  most  of  the  ministers  of  his  day  he  engaged 
in  other  work  for  his  support,  the  salary  from  the 
churches  not  being  sufficient.  He  taught  school,  cared 
for  his  farm  until  his  last  years,  and  yet.  with  all  the 
teaching  and  the  agricultural  labors,  he  preached  some- 
thing like  200  sermons  each  year,  and  did  a  great  deal 
of  visiting  on  each  of  the  four  fields  which  he  usually 
had  in  charge.  He  organized  a  number  of  churches 
and  did  much  evangelistic  work  over  the  State  as  far  as 
Bristol,  and,  even  in  those  days  of  hazardous  and  slow 
travel,  went  as  far  as  Kentucky  to  hold  meetings. 


ELIJAH  WHITE  ROACH  361 

Mr.  Roach  was  early  married  to  a  daughter  of  Col. 
Isham  Harvey,  Anne  R.,  and  to  them  were  born  twelve 
children,  and  some  of  these  children  have  been  very 
useful  in  the  service  of  the  Master.  Mrs.  Roach  was 
born  May  22,  1803,  was  married  June  13,  1819,  and 
died  February  24,  1880.  J.  R.  Graves  once  said  to  Mr. 
Roach  that  he  had  been  told  that  he  was  a  "milk  and 
cider  Baptist,"  to  which  he  replied  that  milk  and  cider 
Baptists  had  often  Pedobaptist  children,  but  that  every 
one  of  his  family  belong  to  missionary  Baptist  churches. 
At  one  of  the  great  revivals,  when  some  seventy  had 
been  baptized  and  the  deacons  were  trying  to  persuade 
one  who  was  hesitating  to  enter  the  water,  he  told  them 
to  desist,  that  he  wanted  to  baptize  none  but  volunteers. 

In  one  of  the  business  meetings  at  Salem  Church, 
after  other  matters  had  been  attended  to,  he  arose 
and  said  that  he  had  a  very  painful  duty  to  perform; 
that  his  baby  daughter  who  was  then  before  him  had 
been  dancing  just  the  week  before;  that  this  was  posi- 
tively against  the  rules  of  the  church,  and  that  as  no 
one  else  would  do  it  he  felt  he  must  bring  her  case  to 
their  attention.  The  daughter  says :  "I  was  dumb- 
founded, for  I  did  not  even  know  that  my  dancing  was 
known  to  him.  I  promised  never  to  do  so  again  and 
kept  my  word." 

He  had  many  experiences  in  marrying  couples,  at  one 
time  performing  the  ceremony  across  a  swollen  stream, 
and  rich  stories  could  be  told  of  his  experiences  in  get- 
ting to  his  appointments,  in  winning  souls,  and  in  being 
true  to  the  South.  A  Federal  officer  went  forward  at 
the  close  of  a  sermon  full  of  strong  Southern  senti- 
ments, and  the  audience  thought  the  pastor  would  be 
arrested,  but,  instead,  the  officer  was  so  completely  won 
by  his  fearlessness  and  the  power  of  the  sermon  that  he 
asked  for  an  opportunity  to  speak,  publicly  commended 
the  preacher's  sincerity,  urged  those  present  to  be  true 


362         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

to  the  gospel  preached,  and  to  go  to  their  homes  and 
be  good  citizens. 

Three  of  the  many  negroes  who  were  owned  by  him 
in  slave  time  became  preachers,  and  until  this  day  there 
are  kept  in  Salem  Church  the  galleries  in  which  his 
negro  auditors  sat.  They  were  always  proud  to  relate 
that  they  had  been  baptized  or  married  by  "Marse 
'Lijah."  It  would  be  difficult  to  tell  whether  he  was  the 
more  beloved  by  the  whites  who  affectionately  called 
him  "Passun  Roach,"  or  those  negroes  who  said  "Marse 
'Lijah." 

He  was  a  delegate  at  the  organization  of  the  American 
and  Foreign  Baptist  Bible  Society,  in  Philadelphia,  and 
was  a  liberal  contributor  to  its  work;  and  in  heat  and 
cold  engaged  in  the  Lord's  business  at  his  own  door, 
scarcely  ever  missing  an  appointment.  For  about 
twenty-five  years  he  was  clerk  of  the  Appomattox  Asso- 
ciation. On  the  Sunday  before  he  died  he  preached  at 
Midway  Church,  rode  home  on  Monday,  walked  out  in 
the  field  where  his  son  was  at  work,  and  fell  asleep  in 
Jesus,  as  he  had  wished,  "with  the  harness  on."  Often 
had  he  said  that  he  would  far  "rather  wear  out  than 
rust  out"  ;  and  when  in  his  eighty-seventh  year  the  time 
for  his  unmooring  came  great  crowds  met  to  do  honor 
to  his  memory,  and  Rev.  J.  S.  Mason,  Rev.  E.  S.  Taylor, 
and  Pastor  Crews,  of  a  nearby  Presbyterian  Church, 
conducted  the  services.  The  text  for  the  funeral  ser- 
mon was  Daniel  12 :3.  These  men  who  knew  him  so 
well  said  that,  in  contemplating  the  character  and  labors 
and  success  of  this  truly  godly  man,  they  were  con- 
strained to  say  that  a  prince  ancl  a  great  man  had  fallen 
in  Israel,  and  that  probably  no  man  in  the  denomination 
had  clone  more  work  than  this  veteran  of  the  cross. 

Until  this  day  the  name  of  "Brother  Roach"  is  heard 
many,  many  times  in  the  homes  of  Central  Virginia,  and 
his  memory  lingers  fragrant  in  the  hearts  of  those  still 


ELIJAH  WHITE  ROACH  363 

living,  who  knew  him  and  were  blessed  by  his  ministry, 
and  on  down  to  children's  children  do  they  still  delight 
to  do  him  honor. 

In  two  of  the  pulpits  where  he  preached  so  long  there 
still  hang  portraits  of  this  man  of  God  who  labored  so 
faithfully  and  so  well  for  the  good  of  all  whose  lives 
were  in  any  way  touched  by  that  of  Elijah  White 
Roach. 

W.  W.  Hamilton. 


JOHN  N.  FOX 

It  would  be  impossible  to  record  in  any  full  and  com- 
plete way  the  lives  of  men.  Hundreds  of  years  ago  the 
words,  "Of  making  many  books  there  is  no  end"  were 
true.  Since  then  the  multiplication  of  books  has  greatly 
increased.  Still  the  record  falls  far  short  of  being  com- 
plete. Even  a  full  account  of  the  world's  greatest  men 
has  never  been  kept.  Yet  every  life  is  of  deep  interest. 
So  when  it  happens,  as  in  the  case  of  this  sketch,  that 
more  than  threescore  years  and  ten  are  passed  over  in 
a  few  words,  we  must  needs  read  between  the  lines  and 
fill  out  the  picture.  John  N.  Fox  was  born  in  King 
William  County,  Virginia,  May  2,  1811.  He  was  edu- 
cated at  Richmond  College,  then  for  several  years  he 
taught  school  in  Jeffersonton,  Va.  During  this  period  he 
made  the  acquaintance  of  Miss  Bettie  G.  Smith,  a  niece  of 
Mrs.  Cumberland  George,  and,  on  September  15,  1836, 
she  became  his  wife.  From  Jeffersonton  he  came  to  Cul- 
peper,  where  he  taught  several  years.  Again  he  moved, 
now  to  Woodville,  Rappahannock  County.  Next  he 
taught  in  Washington,  Rappahannock  County,  and  was 
for  some  time  missionary  in  the  Blue  Ridge  Mountains. 
Some  time  before  the  Civil  War  he  was  called  to  the 
pastorate  of  four  churches,  namely,  Dundee,  Spring- 
Hill,  Alum  Spring,  and  Woodville,  all  in  the  Shiloh 
Association.  He  always  went  to  his  appointments  on 
horseback;  Dundee  and  Spring  Hill  were  twenty-five 
miles  from  his  home,  Woodville  was  twenty,  and  Alum 
Spring,  ten.  Remember,  reader,  that  it  snows  and  rains 
in  Virginia,  and  that  Virginia  roads  in  those  days  left 
much  to  be  desired.  He  continued  in  this  work  even 
when  he  was  so  feeble  that  he  needed  assistance  to 
mount  to  the  saddle.  "He  went  about  doing  good." 
He  was  clerk  of  the  Shiloh  Association  for  thirty  years. 
He  was  the  father  of  eleven  children,  five  boys  and  six 
daughters,  of  whom  three  daughters  and  two  sons  are 
now  living.  He  died  July  12,  1883,  in  his  seventy- 
second  year. 

364 


JOHN  HUBBARD  CAWTHON 

John  Hubbard  Cawthon  was  born  March  26,  1812, 
near  Rocks  Baptist  Church,  Charlotte  (now  Appo- 
mattox) County,  Virginia,  his  father  having  been  reared 
in  the  same  section.  His  father  died  when  he  was  nine 
years  old,  leaving  six  children,  he  being  the  oldest.  He 
was  converted  when  he  was  a  young  man,  and  before 
he  became  a  preacher  the  record  of  Bethany  Church 
shows  that  he  served  faithfully  as  a  deacon.  From  1845, 
when  the  church  was  constituted,  until  December  19, 
1848,  he  was  present  at  every  meeting  of  which  there 
was  a  record.  On  December  3.  1848,  the  church  called 
for  his  ordination  as  a  minister.  The  Presbytery,  con- 
sisting of  Elders  Samuel  Davidson,  E.  W.  Roach,  S.  G. 
Mason,  and  John  C.  Hamner,  met  December  19th,  and, 
after  the  examination,  held  the  services,  the  ordination 
sermon  being  preached  by  Elder  Samuel  G.  Mason. 
The  next  month  the  church  called  Mr.  Cawthon  to  be- 
come their  pastor  and  he  accepted,  holding  the  work 
until  June  5,  1858.  Even  then  they  would  not  accept 
his  resignation,  hoping  his  health  would  improve.  It 
was  not  until  October  30.  1859  that  his  successor  was 
chosen.  There  is  now  no  church  in  the  Appomattox 
Association  known  as  Bethany.  The  meeting-house  of 
this  church  was  destroyed  by  fire,  it  having  caught  while 
a  negro  was  clearing  new  ground  near  by.  Mr.  Cawthon 
was  pastor  also  of  Rocks  and  Reedy  Spring.  He  married 
Miss  Jemima  Catharine  Thornhill,  who  bore  him  seven 
children.  His  two  sons  are  deacons  in  Baptist  churches, 
and  all  the  daughters,  save  one,  were  Baptists.  He  was 
a  man  rather  above  the  average  height,  with  dark  hair 
and  brown  eyes.  He  was  vigorous  in  health  almost  up 
to  the  time  of  his  death.     He  was  a  preacher-farmer, 

365 


366         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

and  for  some  years  before  his  death  had  no  regular 
preaching  appointment.  In  business,  one  of  his  mottoes 
was :  "In  making  a  trade  put  yourself  in  the  other  man's 
place  and  see  how  you  would  like  his  side — especially  in 
a  horse  trade."  On  July  26,  1882.  his  wife  died,  and  on 
January  26,  1883,  he  followed  her  to  the  grave. 


JOHN  O.  TURPIN 

John  O.  Turpin,  who  was  the  second  son  of  Rev. 
Miles  Turpin  and  Fanny  Frayser  Turpin,  was  born  at 
"Dovehill,"  in  Henrico  County,  eight  miles  east  of 
Richmond,  in  December,  1810.  His  father  died  before 
reaching  the  decline  of  life,  leaving  a  widow,  six  sons, 
and  three  daughters.  The  youngest  of  these  daughters, 
Keziah,  on  April  14,  1846,  became  the  wife  of  Rev. 
Samuel  Cornelius  Clopton,  and  on  the  22d  of  the  fol- 
lowing June  sailed  with  him  as  a  missionary  to  China. 
When  about  eighteen  years  old  young  Turpin  entered 
business  in  Richmond  as  a  silversmith.  At  the  age  of 
twenty  he  decided  that  it  was  his  duty  to  become  a 
preacher,  and  in  1832  he  entered  the  Virginia  Baptist 
Seminary,  now  Richmond  College.  Here  he  remained 
three  years,  and  in  the  list  of  students,  wdien  this  insti- 
tution was  at  Young's  Pond,  four  miles  north  of  Rich- 
mond, his  name  stands  first.  He  was  ordained  in  1833, 
and  became  pastor  of  the  Four  Mile  Baptist  Church, 
Henrico  County,  where  his  father  had  been  pastor  some 
ten  years.  For  about  two  years  he  taught  in  a  seminary 
for  young  women,  in  Richmond,  conducted  by  Rev. 
Henry  Keeling.  At  the  end  of  these  two  years  he  gave 
up  teaching  and  devoted  himself  wholly  to  the  work  of 
the  ministry. 

In  1836,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Martha  Browm,  of 
King  William  County.  His  field  now  consisted  of  Four 
Mile  Church  and  three  churches  in  King  William, 
namely  those  at  Old  Beulah  Meeting  House,  and  in  the 
two  colonial  buildings,  Aquinton  and  Cattail.  In  1841, 
he  and  his  wife,  with  their  two  sons,  moved  to  King 
William.  In  March,  1845,  Sharon  Church,  King 
William  County,  was  dedicated  free  of  debt  and  he  was 
elected  its  pastor,  in  which  office  he  continued  for  thirty- 

367 


368         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

eight  years.  In  1853,  this  church  had  596  members, 
444  of  them  being  colored  persons.  In  the  same  year, 
Beulah,  of  which  church  he  was  pastor  for  forty-eight 
years,  had  a  membership  of  294,  of  whom  164  were 
colored.  In  1855,  Hebron  Church,  King  William 
County,  where  he  was  pastor  for  eight  years,  had  a 
membership  of  301,  the  majority  of  whom  were  doubt- 
less negroes.  The  galleries  of  his  churches  were 
crowded  with  colored  persons  whenever  he  preached ; 
they  were  always  orderly  and  attentive,  and  frequently 
gave  vent  to  their  feelings.  Not  many  country  pastors 
baptized  as  many  colored  people  as  he  did.  Under  his 
ministry  his  churches  grew  and  prospered.  No  other 
preacher  who  ever  lived  in  King  William  ever  baptized 
so  many  people  or  married  so  many  couples.  He  was 
esteemed  and  respected  by  all  sorts  and  conditions  of 
men;  by  those  who  were  of  other  denominations,  and 
by  those  of  no  denomination  little  less  than  by  those  of 
his  own  charge.  His  godly  walk  and  character  were 
admired  by  all.  God  has  given  to  Virginia  Baptists  few 
men  of  greater  consecration  and  godliness.  His  very 
presence  in  a  gathering  was  apt  to  prevent  questionable 
jokes  and  profanity.  A  distinguished  lawyer  on  one 
occasion  used  an  oath,  but  immediately  turned  to  Mr. 
Turpin  and  said :  "I  beg  your  pardon,  Mr.  Turpin,  I  did 
not  know  you  were  in  the  crowd."  Mr.  Turpin,  point- 
ing with  his  finger  upward,  said :  "Ask  pardon  up 
yonder."  He  took  his  part  in  the  work  of  the  denomi- 
nation. At  the  session  of  the  Dover  Association,  in 
1853,  at  a  meeting  Sunday  morning  to  promote  the  in- 
terests of  Sunday-school  work,  he  was  one  of  the  two 
speakers.  He  and  his  wife  were  strong  advocates  of 
temperance,  at  a  day  when  this  great  cause  was  not  as 
popular  as  it  is  now,  and  sought  to  impress  these  prin- 
ciples on  all,  especially  their  nine  children.  Three  of  his 
sons  were  privates  in  the  Confederate  Army,  the  oldest 


JOHN  O.  TURPIN  369 

being  a  prisoner  for  two  years  at  Elmira,  N.  Y.     His 
daughter  and  three  of  his  sons  are  still  living. 

After  an  illness  of  ten  days  he  passed  to  his  heavenly 
reward,  on  March  3,  1884,  having  been  an  ordained 
minister  for  fifty-one  years.  His  death  was  triumphant. 
The  physician  who  was  with  him  in  these  last  moments 
described  the  scene  as  one  surpassingly  pathetic  and  im- 
pressive. The  good  man's  body,  in  the  presence  of  a 
large  crowd  of  white  and  colored  people,  was  laid  to 
rest  at  Beulah  Church,  beneath  the  shade  of  the  tree  to 
which  he  had  tied  his  horse  every  other  Sunday  for 
almost  half  a  century.  The  funeral  sermon,  on  the  text: 
"A  workman  that  needeth  not  to  be  ashamed,"  was 
preached  by  Rev.  Dr.  J.  R.  Garlick. 


1 


WILLIAM  HEATH  KIRK 

William  Heath  Kirk  was  born  in  Lancaster  County, 
Virginia,  at  "Mars  Hill,"  near  Kilmarnock,  on  August 
18,  1804.  His  parents.  Major  William  Kirk  and  Ann 
D.  Heath,  were  of  respectable  families,  and  lived  in 
comfortable  circumstances.  From  an  early  age  until 
he  was  nineteen  years  old  he  attended  school  in  six 
counties,  and  had  among  his  teachers  Rev.  Daniel  Mc- 
Norton,  Cyrus  Pinckard,  John  Nelson,  Alexander  Keith, 
John  Lawrence,  and  Rev.  John  Thornton.  He  after- 
w^ards  said  concerning  his  school  days :  'T  went  to 
school  to  everybody  and  learned  nothing."  His  failure 
to  make  the  best  of  unusually  good  opportunities  was  a 
source  of  lifelong  regret  to  him,  yet  these  years  were 
not  wholly  fruitless,  since  he  committed  to  memory 
Murray's  Grammar,  read  Cicero,  and  learned  to  survey. 
Upon  the  death  of  his  father  he  took  up  the  study  of 
medicine  and,  after  several  years  under  Dr.  Charles 
Taylor  at  Kilmarnock,  and  Dr.  Joseph  Basye  at  Heaths- 
ville,  and  at  the  end  of  two  sessions  at  the  Maryland 
University,  he  took  his  diploma. 

At  the  age  of  twenty-four  the  young  doctor  settled  at 
the  old  home  with  his  widowed  mother  for  the  practice 
of  medicine.  He  looked  after  the  farm  and  cared  for 
his  patients.  He  was  a  dashing  young  fellow,  well 
dressed  and  fine  looking,  but  without  God,  and  having 
no  hope  in  the  world.  Fortunately  there  came  a  change. 
On  the  third  Sunday  in  March  he  attended  service  at 
the  Kilmarnock  Meeting  House.  Before  leaving  home 
his  aged  and  pious  mother  had  said :  "William,  I  want 
you  to  try  to  behave  yourself  to-day."  The  pastor  of 
the  church  was  Rev.  J.  B.  Jeter,  but  that  day  the  preacher 
was  Col.  Addison  Hall,  a  lawyer,  and  a  licentiate  of  the 

370 


WILLIAM  HEATH  KIRK  371 

Morattico  Church.  The  young  doctor,  on  account  of 
unkind  feeHngs  arising  from  a  law  suit,  did  not  want  to 
hear  Mr.  Hall,  so  he  took  a  back  seat  in  the  gallery,  and 
was  soon  sound  asleep.  When  he  awoke  the  sermon 
was  over,  and  the  celebration  of  the  Lord's  Supper  go- 
ing on.  In  deference  to  his  mother's  wishes  he  left  the 
gallery  and  went  out  of  doors  as  quietly  as  possible. 
Yet  something  drew  him  back  to  the  church  to  look  at 
the  emblems  of  the  Saviour's  death,  and  to  hear  the 
exhortation  of  one  of  the  deacons,  the  Supper  being 
over.  The  spirit  of  God  came  upon  the  young  doctor 
and  he  wept  freely.  The  pastor  saw  his  tears,  came  to 
him,  and  spoke  words  of  encouragement  and  sympathy. 
The  next  night  there  were  services  at  his  mother's,  and 
special  prayers  were  offered  for  his  conversion.  The 
first  Sunday  in  May  a  meeting  was  held  at  Deacon 
Rawleigh  Dunaway's  house,  on  Currotoman  River. 
The  morning  was  inclement,  the  congregation  was  not 
large.  Dr.  Jeter  announced  his  text:  "Wherefore  do 
you  spend  money  for  that  which  is  not  bread  and  your 
labor  for  that  which  satisfieth  not?"  Dr.  Jeter,  describ- 
ing the  occasion,  says :  "My  mind,  when  I  attempted  to 
preach,  was  so  dark,  and  my  heart  so  apathetic,  that  I 
deemed  it  best  to  stop,  and  I  called  on  the  brethren  to 
sing.  Deacon  Norris,  perceiving  my  embarrassment,  fell 
on  his  knees,  saying:  'Let  us  pray.'  He  offered  one  of 
the  simplest,  most  tender,  and  moving  prayers  that  I 
have  ever  heard."  Then  followed  the  hymn,  "Show 
pity.  Lord;  O  Lord,  forgive."  With  streaming  eyes 
Dr.  Kirk  arose  and  said :  "Mr.  Jeter,  please  pray  for 
me."  While  they  prayed,  the  burden  that  for  many 
days  had  been  crushing  his  spirit  was  removed,  and  he 
passed  from  darkness  to  light.  The  first  Bible  verse 
that  came  to  his  mind  was :  "The  wind  bloweth  where 
it  listeth  and  thou  hearest  the  sound  thereof,  but  canst 
not  tell  whence  it  cometh  and  whither  it  goeth ;  so  is 
every  one  that  is  born  of  the  Spirit." 


372         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

The  day  after  his  baptism,  which  took  place  at 
Dymer's  Creek,  Lancaster  County,  Saturday,  May  16, 
1829,  when  the  sermon  was  over,  according  to  a  previous 
understanding  with  the  pastor,  he  arose  to  take  formal 
leave  of  his  old  companions  and  to  exhort  them  to  go 
with  him.  This  address  was  the  beginning  of  his 
service  as  a  minister  of  the  gospel.  After  having 
preached  for  the  Farnham  Church  every  month  for  sev- 
eral years,  the  practice  of  medicine  being  given  up,  on 
August  13,  1835,  at  the  Northumberland  Baptist  Camp 
Ground,  he  was  ordained.  The  ordination  of  Addison 
Hall,  the  quondam  lawyer,  took  place  at  the  same  time. 

In  the  Providence  of  God  the  two  men  ordained  that 
August  day  were  to  labor  together  in  unique  and 
beautiful  union  and  fellowship. 

At  Coan  Church  they  were  co-pastors  for  some  nineteen 
years;  at  Fairfield  they  worked  together  in  like  manner 
for  ten  years,  and  for  the  same  length  of  time  the 
Lebanon  Church  had  their  services  as  fellow-pastors. 
While  they  were  in  many  respects  very  different  yet  they 
labored  together  harmoniously  and  successfully.  Dr. 
W.  F.  Dunaway  thus  describes  and  contrasts  the  two 
men :  "Hall  was  the  better  theologian.  Kirk  the  superior 
orator.  The  former  was  more  logical,  instructive,  con- 
vincing, while  the  latter  was  more  pathetic,  eloquent, 
persuasive."  For  thirty-six  years  they  labored  together 
in  the  churches  of  Lancaster  and  Northumberland,  the 
Lord  greatly  blessing  their  labors.  Four  excellent 
church  houses  were  built,  many  souls  were  added  to  the 
Lord,  and  the  missionary  zeal  of  the  churches  greatly 
quickened.  For  nearly  half  a  century  Dr.  Kirk  preached 
the  gospel  at  Coan  and  Fairfield  churches.  For  some 
forty  years  he  was  sole  pastor  at  the  former  place  and 
for  thirty  at  the  latter.  Not  long  before  his  death  he 
gave  to  each  of  his  churches  an  elegant  communion 
service,  engraved  with  his  name.     As  a  preacher,  he  was 


WILLIAM  HEATH  KIRK  Z7i 

not  noted  for  studious  habits,  nor  for  extensive  learn- 
ing, nor  for  powers  of  clear  analysis.  There  was  an 
intimate  connection  between  his  conversion  and  his 
preaching.  It  was  the  grace  of  God  as  exemplified  in 
the  atoning  death  of  Jesus  Christ  that  constrained  him 
to  repent,  believe,  obey,  and  he  nresented  to  his  hearers 
that  same  grace  as  the  only  reclaiming  power.  In  the 
pulpit  he  was  sometimes  cold  and  dark,  then  sentences 
were  framed  with  difficulty,  and  utterance  was  broken. 
Generally,  however,  his  mind  was  clear  and  his  heart 
warm.  His  manner  then  was  free,  noble,  engaging. 
His  sonorous  voice  poured  forth  in  elegant  periods  the 
thoughts  that  filled  and  warmed  his  soul.  Flowing  tears, 
mingled  with  perspiration,  coursed  down  his  cheeks,  nor 
did  he  think  of,  or  pause  to  use,  his  handkerchief,  so 
wrapt  was  his  spirit  in  the  love  of  God,  and  in  zeal  for 
the  salvation  of  men.  His  physique  was  noble.  Tall 
and  well  proportioned,  his  presence  was  commanding. 
His  strong  and  vigorous  constitution  enabled  him  to 
labor  and  preach  with  almost  undiminished  power  to  the 
end  of  a  long  life.  His  love  of  the  truth  was  so  great 
that  it  dominated  his  every  word  and  act,  and  often  led 
the  superficial  obser\^er  to  believe  that  he  was  curt  and 
dogmatic.  His  manner  was  but  the  outcome  of  his  holy 
hatred  of  evasions,  equivocation  and  deceit,  and  of  all 
those  subterfuges  and  shifts  which  are  the  allies  of  false- 
hood. He  was  strictly  faithful  to  all  his  promises  and 
engagements.  In  his  mind  punctuality  was  an  element 
of  honesty,  a  feature  of  genuine  religion.  Dr.  Kirk 
was  a  cordial  advocate  of  missions,  and  it  was  his 
custom  and  pleasure  to  collect  and  carry  up  each  year 
to  the  '']nnt  Meeting,"  as  large  a  sum  of  money  as 
possible.  The  last  that  he  carried  was  the  largest.  It 
w^as  his  habit  to  attend  the  General  Association,  and 
during  half  a  century  he  failed  to  attend  its  sessions 
only  two  or  three  times.  In  1879,  at  the  meeting  of  this 
body,  he  was  elected  one  of  its  vice-presidents. 


374         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

Dr.  Kirk  was  married  twice.  On  August  12,  1830, 
Miss  Elizabeth  M.  Myers  became  his  wife.  Of  this 
union  ten  children  were  born,  of  whom  six  are  now 
living.  His  first  wife  having  died,  Dr.  Kirk  was 
married,  on  October  21,  1856,  to  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Ann 
Blakey.  Upon  the  occasion  of  this  marriage  he  moved 
to  his  wife's  residence,  in  Lancaster  County,  which  was 
known  as  "Hunter's  Lodge,"  where  he  spent  twenty 
years  of  happy  married  life. 

His  death  came  March  15,  1884,  the  day  when  he 
expected  to  meet  his  regular  Saturday  appointment  at 
Coan  Church.  He  was  buried  in  a  spot  he  had  selected 
near  the  pulpit  of  Coan  Church,  and  at  the  memorial 
services  held  in  this  his  old  church,  the  sermon,  preached 
by  Rev.  Dr.  W.  F.  Dunaway,  was  from  the  words : 
"By  the  grace  of  God  I  am  what  I  am,"  a  text  he  had 
selected  for  his  funeral.  The  congregation  contributed 
some  $200  for  a  monument  over  his  grave.  This  sketch 
is  based,  in  part,  on  a  pamphlet  on  the  life  of  Mr.  Kirk 
by  Rev.  Dr.  Dunaway. 


ABNER  ANTHONY 

On  September  16,  1790,  George  Washington  being 
president  of  the  United  States,  Abner  Anthony  was 
born.  His  father,  Rev.  John  Anthony,  was  for  many 
years  a  minister  of  the  gospel,  in  Bedford  County,  being 
the  pastor  of  the  Otter  Church  from  its  origin  until  just 
before  his  death,  in  the  year  1822.  The  son  made  a 
profession  of  rehgion,  and,  in  1814,  united  with  his 
father's  church.  Otter,  now  called  Bethlehem.  On 
September  13,  1815,  he  united  by  letter  with  the 
Staunton  (Bedford  County)  Church.  Of  this  church 
he  was  for  a  term  clerk,  and  he  was  frequently  its 
messenger  to  the  meetings  of  the  Association.  He  was 
first  licensed  to  preach,  and  then,  in  1829,  was  ordained, 
the  Presbytery  consisting  of  Elders  William  Leftwich, 
William  Harris,  Joel  Preston,  and  James  Leftwich. 
Soon  after  this  he  became  pastor  of  his  church,  "which 
office  he  held  as  long  and  even  longer  than  his  strength 
justified,  and  with  reluctance  yielded  his  charge."  He 
was  pastor  also  of  Mount  Airy  and  Difficult  Creek 
churches,  and  perhaps  of  others.  He  lived  in  Bedford 
County  near  the  line  and  near  the  point  where  Pittsyl- 
vania and  Franklin  corner,  so  his  labors  reached  over 
these  three  counties.  During  the  larger  part  of  his  life 
he  had  good  health  and  strength,  and  did  a  large  amount 
of  traveling.  During  his  long  ministry  he  baptized 
many  people,  conducted  a  great  many  funerals,  and 
married  more  than  a  thousand  couples. 

Finally  disease  laid  him  low.  For  more  than  two 
years  he  was  confined  to  his  bed,  unable  to  move  his 
body  or  his  legs.  During  this  sore  affliction  his  mind 
was  at  times  affected,  but  his  patience  never  gave  away. 
During  this  season  of  distress  he  often  talked  of  the 
meetings,  the  friends,  the  scenes  of  other  days,  of  the 

375 


376         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

future,  and  of  his  own  death.  He  enjoyed  the  visits  of 
his  brethren  as  they  came  to  his  bedside,  bringing  now 
a  sermon,  now  a  prayer ;  his  response  was  in  the  lan- 
guage of  joy,  declaring  that  he  was  ready  to  depart  and 
be  with  Christ.  On  March  3,  1884,  in  the  ninety-fourth 
year  of  his  age,  having  seen  twenty-one  presidents 
occupy  the  White  House,  he  fell  on  sleep. 


SILAS  BRUCE 

Culpeper  County,  lying  along  the  foothills  of  the 
Blue  Ridge  Mountains,  famous  in  colonial  days  and  in 
the  period  of  the  Civil  War,  was  the  birthplace  of  Silas 
Bruce,  and  the  section  where  most  of  his  life  was  spent. 
He  was  born  February  16,  1804,  his  parents  being  Joel 
Bruce  and  Ann  Dowling.  In  1824,  he  was  baptized  by 
Elder  James  Garnett,  and  at  once  became  an  earnest 
worker  in  Bethel  Church.  When  his  thoughts  turned  to 
the  ministry  he  felt  the  need  of  a  fuller  education.  So 
be  became  a  student  first  at  Mount  Salem  Academy,  con- 
ducted by  Rev.  Wm.  F.  Broaddus,  and  later  at  the  New 
Baltimore  Academy,  in  Fauquier  County,  an  institution 
of  which  Rev.  John  Ogilvie  was  then  the  head,  a  position 
he  filled  for  twenty  years.  He  was  licensed  to  preach, 
December  24,  1831,  and  on  July  21,  1832,  upon  the 
request  of  the  Carter's  Run  Church,  of  which  church 
he  immediately  became  pastor,  was  ordained  to  the 
gospel  ministry.  During  his  long  ministry  of  over  half 
a  century  he  was  pastor  of  many  churches  of  the  Shiloh 
Association  for  long  periods.  Especially  notable  in  this 
list  was  Mount  Lebanon,  a  body  which  he  organized,  in 
1833,  and  where  his  work  went  on  for  about  half  a 
century.  Three  other  of  the  best  churches  in  this  sec- 
tion of  Virginia,  namely,  Mount  Zion,  Slate  Mills,  and 
Mount  Carmel,  were  founded  by  him,  in  1833,  1855,  and 
1850.  respectively.  Besides  his  regular  work  as  a  pastor, 
in  which  capacity  he  preached  a  large  number  of  funerals, 
married  many  couples,  and  baptized  nearly  2,000  per- 
sons, he  was  also  active  in  protracted-meeting  work. 
"He  was  a  fluent  speaker,  commanding  in  person, 
graceful  in  manner,  persuasive  in  style.  His  heart  was 
guileless."     His  whole  life  was  passed  in  what  was  first 

377 


378         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

his  parents'  home  and  then  his  own.  where  he  tenderly 
cared  for  his  father  and  mother  in  their  years  of  feeble- 
ness, and  then  for  some  afflicted  members  of  the  family. 
He  was  married  to  Miss  Tennessee  Smith,  who  was  his 
faithful  and  loving  wife.  Of  this  union  the  following 
children  were  born:  Mannie  D.,  Joel  T.,  John  Silas  M., 
Sue,  Maude,  James  G.,  Mollie,  Luther  R.,  Lou,  and 
Cornelius.  After  a  lingering  and  painful  illness,  he 
died,  at  his  home,  October  29,  1884.  To  have  the  true 
picture  of  the  character  and  work  of  this  man  of  God, 
the  reader  should  pause  to  consider  how  much  labor  is 
suggested  by  many  statements  in  this  sketch.  See  this 
godly  minister  for  half  a  century  going  to  his  appoint- 
ments, attending  marriages  and  funerals,  holding  pro- 
tracted meetings,  baptizing  in  clear  mountain-born 
streams  hundreds  of  people,  and  rearing  a  large  family, 
and  caring  for  aged  parents  and  afflicted  loved  ones ! 
What  a  beautiful — what  an  inspiring  picture! 


WILLIAM  ALLEN  TYREE 

From  a  home  in  Amherst  County,  Virginia,  the  ranks 
of  Virginia  Baptist  preachers  received  two  valuable 
members.  In  the  Fourth  Series  of  these  "Lives"  there 
will  be  a  sketch  of  Rev.  Dr.  Cornelius  Tyree ;  his  brother 
William  Allen  was  born  January  19,  1824.  Young 
William  made  a  profession  of  religion  in  1839,  and  w^as 
baptized  into  the  fellowship  of  Mount  Moriah  Church, 
Amherst  County,  by  Rev.  S.  B.  Rice.  He  attended  the 
best  schools  of  the  county,  and  then,  in  1847,  set  out  for 
Richmond  College,  where  he  spent  two  sessions.  He  next 
attended  Columbian  College,  Washington,  where  he 
graduated  in  1851. 

Soon  after  his  graduation  he  was  ordained  to  the  gospel 
ministry,  the  Presbytery  consisting  of  Elders  J.  H.  Fox, 
William  Moore,  and  Cornelius  Tyree.  In  1851,  he  be- 
came pastor  of  the  Farmville  Baptist  Church,  where  he 
remained  two  years.  In  1852,  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Susan  B.  Penick,  of  Halifax  County.  This  event  led  to 
his  becoming  pastor  in  Halifax,  where  he  lived  some 
fifteen  years.  While  living  in  Halifax  he  was  pastor 
first  and  last  of  these  churches:  Beth  Car,  Hunting 
Creek,  Childrey,  Meadsville,  Catawba,  and  Brookneal. 
"This  was  the  most  laborious  part  of  his  hfe."  During 
the  Civil  War  he  was  for  a  season  the  president  of  the 
Danville  Female  Institute.  From  this  work  he  returned 
to  his  pastorate  in  Halifax,  but  before  long  his  feeble 
health  led  him  to  go  back  to  his  native  county,  where  he 
became  undershepherd  of  the  Mount  Moriah  Church. 
He  settled  near  the  county  seat,  and  in  the  face  of  many 
obstacles  succeeded  in  building  at  this  center  of  influence 
a  large  and  beautiful  house  of  worship.  Not  long  after 
the  completion  of  this  edifice,  his  health,  which  had  not 
been  good  for  a  considerable  time,  gave  steadily  away. 

379 


380 


VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


In  the  fall  of  1884,  it  was  plain  that  the  end  was  not  far 
off.  He  realized  his  condition  and  began  to  set  his  house 
in  order.  He  was  called  upon  to  suffer  great  bodily  pain, 
but,  on  December  14,  1884,  he  entered  peacefully  into 
the  rest  prepared  for  God's  people.  Years  of  poor 
health  unfitted  him  for  mental  and  physical  work,  but 
notwithstanding  this  serious  handicap  he  was  an  able 
and  useful  preacher,  an  excellent  pastor,  an  earnest 
Christian  worker,  and,  withal,  a  refined  gentleman,  a 
sympathetic  friend,  and  an  ardent  lover  of  Christ.  His 
son,  Rev.  Dr.  W.  C.  Tyree,  is  a  preacher  of  power  and 
usefulness. 


ROBERT  BURTON 

Robert  Burton  was  born  in  Chesterfield  County,  Vir- 
ginia, in  January,  1818,  his  parents  being  Jesse  Wash- 
ington and  Mary  Franklin  Burton.  The  First  Baptist 
Church  of  Petersburg  sent  him  forth  to  preach  the 
gospel.  To  prepare  himself  for  life  and  for  the  ministry 
he  studied  at  the  Virginia  Baptist  Seminary  (now  Rich- 
mond College)  and  at  Columbian  College,  graduating  at 
this  latter  institution  in  1846.  Shortly  afterwards  he 
took  charge  of  several  churches  in  Charlotte  and  Meck- 
lenburg counties.  For  some  forty  years  he  was  a  member 
of  the  Concord  Association,  and  for  the  first  half  of  this 
period  was  pastor  of  some  of  the  leading  churches  of 
the  body.  During  the  latter  half  of  this  forty  years  he 
labored  as  a  missionary  in  the  Association.  Among  the 
churches  he  served  were  Liberty,  Shiloh,  Bethlehem, 
Antioch,  Bethel,  Mount  Zion,  Horeb,  and  Concord.  His 
lifelong  friend  and  fellow-laborer,  Rev.  A.  F.  Davidson, 
says  of  him :  "He  was  a  talented  and  cultivated  minister 
of  the  gospel,  and  in  the  earlier  years  of  his  ministry 
especially  impressed  himself  most  favorably  upon  the 
churches,  and  was  instrumental  in  doing  much  good." 
Jn  1863.  when  the  Concord  Association  met,  August 
12th  to  14th,  with  Liberty  Church,  Mecklenburg  County, 
Mr.  Burton  made  the  report  on  "Education."  It  is 
doubly  interesting  since  it  shows  something  of  the  stress 
and  distress  of  those  days  of  the  War.  The  report  says 
in  part:  "Owing  to  the  War  the  work  of  education  has 
been  suspended  some  say  to  the  extent  of  two-thirds. 
The  necessities  of  the  War  and  not  the  spirit 
of  our  people  have  produced  this  evil.  .  .  .  This 
spirit  has  shown  itself  in  the  zeal  with  which  our 
patriotic  women  have  come  forward  to  the  responsible 
work  of  training  the  youths  around  them  in  the  absence 

381 


382         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

of  men  who  were  formerly  engaged  in  it.  This  spirit  is 
seen  also  in  an  increased  interest  and  effort  in  the 
Sunday-school  enterprise  which  must  be  relied  [on] 
now,  more  than  ever,  as  God's  appointed  agency  for 
rescuing  thousands  of  the  young  from  ignorance  and  its 
attendant  evils."  Mr.  Burton  was  married  twice,  first 
to  Miss  Margaret  Ann  Jeffress,  and  then  to  her  sister, 
Mrs.  Eloise  Jeffress  Gregory,  daughters  of  Deacon 
James  H.  Jeffress,  of  Liberty  Church,  Mecklenburg 
County.  Of  these  two  marriages  nine  children  were 
born,  six  of  whom  are  still  living.  On  September  25, 
1885,  he  passed  away.  "He  was  called  suddenly,  but 
the  call  found  him  ready."  This  sketch  might  have  con- 
tained many  more  details  concerning  the  life  of  this  good 
man,  had  not  his  valuable  library,  with  full  records  of 
his  work  as  a  minister,  been  destroyed  by  fire  in  1875. 
The  impress  of  his  consecration  and  piety  seems  to  be 
seen  in  his  children  and  grandchildren. 

While  a  student  at  Columbian  College  he  was  the 
means  of  leading  his  roommate  to  Christ.  Years  after- 
wards, when  Mr.  Burton  was  dead,  by  chance  one  Sun- 
day his  son  was  in  the  congregation  of  Dr.  Gwaltney, 
Edgefield,  S.  C.  In  his  sermon  that  day  the  preacher 
told  of  his  conversion  and  called  his  roommate's  name. 
No  wonder  that  after  the  service  the  son  made  himself 
known.  Mr.  Burton  had  dark  hair,  mild  blue  eyes,  broad 
and  high  forehead,  aquiline  nose,  expressive  mouth  with 
a  perfect  set  of  teeth,  not  one  decayed,  at  the  time  of  his 
death,  when  he  was  sixty-five  years  old.  Until  his  last 
years  he  always  went  clean  shaven.  His  face  was 
radiant,  always  with  an  expression  of  perfect  peace. 
One  of  his  daughters  says :  "I  never  saw  him  frown. 
I  do  not  believe  he  could  frown.  In  fact,  his  countenance 
was  an  index  to  his  noble  character,  and  of  the  spirit  of 
love  for  the  Master  and  His  cause."  He  was  never  too 
preoccupied  or  too  weary,  as  he  set  out  or  returned  from 


ROBERT  BURTON  383 

his  long  journeys  to  his  churches,  to  embrace  each  mem- 
ber of  his  family  affectionately.  He  shared  their 
pleasures  and  perplexities.  In  conversation  he  was 
gifted,  having  a  great  fund  of  anecdotes.  Even  after 
his  active  ministry  ceased  he  was  in  great  demand  for 
funerals  and  marriages,  and  often  went  long  distances 
to  officiate  at  such  functions.  His  children  and  grand- 
children rise  up  to  call  him  blessed. 


WILLIAM  CAREY  CRANE 

William  Carey  Crane  was  born  in  Richmond,  Va., 
March  17,  1816.  His  father,  William  Crane,  was  a 
lineal  descendant  of  Jasper  Crane,  one  of  the  original 
founders  of  Newark,  N.  J.,  and  of  Robert  Treat,  Gov- 
ernor of  Connecticut,  when  the  charter  was  hid  in  the 
historic  oak.  His  father's  mother  was  a  Campbell,  being 
descended  from  the  Campbells  of  Argyle,  Scotland, 
while  his  mother,  Lydia  Dorset,  traced  back  her  ancestry 
to  the  noblest  branch  of  the  Dorsets  of  England. 

His  educational  opportunities  were  the  best  and  he 
made  excellent  use  of  them.  After  having  had  as  his 
teachers,  in  Richmond,  Henry  Keeling,  Thomas  H.  Fox, 
Wm.  Burke,  and  Rowland  Reynolds,  he  spent  a  year  at 
Mr.  C.  W.  Taliaferro's  boarding  school,  in  King  William 
County,  six  miles  from  Hanover  Court  House,  and  near 
Mangobrick  Church,  where  he  heard  Andrew  Broaddus 
preach  regularly.  Before  he  was  thirteen  years  old  he 
had  committed  to  memory  the  main  parts  of  Ruddiman's 
Latin  Grammar  and  translated  selections  from  Caesar, 
Ovid,  Cicero,  Sallust,  and  the  Latin  Old  Testament. 
After  a  break  of  one  year  spent  in  his  father's  counting- 
room,  his  student  life  went  on.  At  the  age  of  fifteen  he 
was  sent  with  his  brother,  A.  Judson  Crane,  to  Mount 
Pleasant  Classical  Institution,  Amherst,  Mass.,  where  he 
pursued  studies  preparatoi-y  to  commercial  life,  among 
other  things,  learning  to  speak  French,  and  taking  draw- 
ing lessons  from  an  Italian  master.  Here  he  had  as  his 
fellow-students  James  Roosevelt  Bayley,  late  Archbishop 
of  the  Roman  Catholic  Church,  Baltimore,  and  Henry 
Van  Lennep,  missionary  to  Constantinople.  One  of  his 
teachers  here  was  Evangelinus  Apostolides  Sophocles, 
author  of  a  Greek  Grammar  and  a  lexicon  of  Byzantine 

384 


WILLIAM  CAREY  CRANE  385 

Greek.  Henry  Ward  Beecher  was  at  this  time  a  student 
in  the  same  village;  later  in  life  he  was  so  much  like 
Mr.  Beecher  as  often  to  be  taken  for  him.  While  here, 
at  a  Congregational  revival  meeting,  he  was  converted, 
and  at  once  decided  to  preach.  On  July  27 ,  1832,  he  was 
baptized  into  the  fellowship  of  the  Second  Baptist 
Church,  Richmond,  Va.,  by  Rev.  James  B.  Taylor.  The 
first  year  of  the  Virginia  Baptist  Seminary  (now  Rich- 
mond College)  found  him  one  of  its  fourteen  students, 
another  of  the  fourteen  being  J.  W.  D.  Creath,  after- 
wards a  leader  in  Texas  Baptist  work.  He  next  attended 
Columbian  College,  where  he  received  his  A.  B.  and 
A.  M.  degrees.  Next  he  spent  three  and  a  half  years  at 
Hamilton,  having  as  his  teachers  there  Thos.  J.  Conant, 
Joel  S.  Bacon,  Barnas  Sears,  Nathaniel  Kendrick, 
Geo.  W.  Eaton,  and  A.  C.  Kendrick. 

Upon  leaving  Hamilton  he  taught  and  preached  for  a 
year  at  Talbotton,  Ga.,  and  having  been  licensed  to  preach 
when  he  was  only  seventeen  years  old,  he  was  on  Septem- 
ber 23,  1838,  in  the  Calvert  Street  Baptist  Church, 
Baltimore  (having  been  one  of  the  constituent  members 
of  this  body),  ordained  to  the  ministry.  On  the  17th 
of  March,  1839,  his  twenty-third  birthday,  he  became 
pastor  of  the  Baptist  church  in  Montgomery,  Ala.  Dur- 
ing his  pastorate  here  the  membership  was  multiplied 
threefold,  but  his  voice  failing  he  returned  to  his  native 
State,  and  for  several  years  worked  as  the  general  agent 
of  the  Virginia  Tract  Society.  A  diary,  which  he  kept 
during  the  period  of  this  agency,  shows  how  earnest 
were  his  labors.  He  preached,  spoke,  sold  books,  took 
collections,  and  arranged  for  agencies  in  all  parts  of  the 
State,  working  with  the  various  denominations.  At  a 
mass  meeting  he  held  in  Petersburg,  Rev.  Mr.  Leyburn, 
in  an  address  on  the  importance  of  good  literature,  spoke 
of  the  ignorance  of  the  lower  classes  in  Europe,  telling 
how  in  Paris  he  asked  a  hundred  hackmen  before  he 


13 


386         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

could  find  where  Lafayette  was  buried,  and  how  in 
Geneva  the  man  Hving  in  John  Calvin's  house  was 
ignorant  of  this  fact.  From  1844  to  1860,  his  home  and 
work  were  in  Mississippi,  he  being  pastor  first  of  Vicks- 
burg  and  then  of  the  Hernando  Church.  While  in 
Mississippi  he  was  president  of  the  Mississippi  Female 
College,  and  was  offered  the  presidency  of  five  colleges 
and  six  seminaries. 

From  1860  until  1863,  he  was  president  of  Mount 
Lebanon  University,  at  Mount  Lebanon,  La.,  the  num- 
ber of  students  increasing  during  his  administration  from 
90  to  170,  and  this  although  the  War  was  going  on. 
Along  with  his  work  as  president  went  the  pastoral  care 
of  several  churches.  In  July,  1863,  he  visited  Houston, 
Texas,  and  was  called  to  the  pastorate  of  the  Baptist 
church  there.  He  declined  this  call,  however,  to  accept 
the  presidency  of  Baylor  University,  at  Independence,  a 
position  he  filled  until  his  death,  February  26,  1885. 
Many  things  conspired  to  make  his  work  at  Baylor  most 
difficult.  Dr.  Burleson,  the  former  president,  carrying 
with  him  his  whole  faculty,  established  at  Waco,  Texas, 
what  was  called  Waco  University.  With  grim,  lion-like 
determination  Dr.  Crane  succeeded  in  placing  Baylor  in 
the  very  forefront  of  educational  institutions  in  the 
South. 

Dr.  Crane  occupied  many  positions  of  honor  and  im- 
portance in  the  denomination  and  in  other  spheres.  He 
was  first  vice-president,  and  then  president  of  the  Texas 
Baptist  Convention,  holding  this  last  office  for  nine  years. 
For  some  years  he  was  one  of  the  secretaries  of  the 
Southern  Baptist  Convention,  and  more  than  once  vice- 
president  of  this  body.  He  was  for  several  years  presi- 
dent of  the  State  Teachers'  Association,  of  Texas,  and 
was  on  the  committee,  invited  by  Governor  Roberts,  that 
recommended  plans  which  resulted  in  the  organization  of 
the   first   Normal   School   in  Texas,   the   Sam   Houston 


WILLIAM  CAREY  CRANE  387 

Normal  College.  He  held  high  offices  in  the  Odd  Fellows 
and  Masonic  orders,  and  in  the  Sons  and  Friends  of 
Temperance,  and  often  made  addresses  before  these  or- 
ganizations. He  was  a  member  of  the  American  Philo- 
logical Association.  He  was  active  with  pen  as  well  as 
with  voice.  Besides  contributing  many  articles  to  the 
Christian  Index,  Religious  Herald,  New  York  Chronicle, 
National  Baptist,  Baptist  Banner,  Western  Pioneer, 
Christian  Repository,  Louisiana  Baptist,  Southern  Baptist 
Review,  Baptist  Quarterly,  and  Southern  Literary 
Messenger,  he  was  the  author  of  several  books.  His 
first  brain-child,  a  modest  little  volume,  printed  for 
private  circulation,  in  honor  of  his  first  wife,  was 
"Memoirs  of  Alcesta  F.  Crane."  In  1853,  he  published 
"Literary  Discourses,"  while  his  "Life  of  Sam  Houston," 
the  only  record  of  the  life  of  this  remarkable  man, 
authorized  by  the  family,  was  published  in  1884.  Dr. 
Crane  was  married  three  times,  his  first  wife  being  Miss 
Alcesta  Flora  Galusha;  his  second.  Miss  Jane  Louisa 
Wright,  and  his  third,  Miss  Catharine  J.  Shepherd.  An 
incident  showing  Dr.  Crane  in  lighter  vein  is  told  as 
follows  by  his  son,  Mr.  R.  C.  Crane,  a  lawyer  of  Sweet- 
water, Texas : 

"I  recollect  one  incident  as  told  by  my  father,  as  I 
recall,  after  his  return  from  attending  the  Southern 
Baptist  Convention,  which  impressed  itself  on  my 
memory  as  indicating  a  quickness  at  repartee. 

"Dr.  Fuller  had  been  a  lifelong  friend  of  his  and  of 
his  father;  my  father  and  Dr.  Fuller  jollied  each  other 
when  they  met,  in  or  out  of  a  crowd.  One  day  at  the 
Convention,  Dr.  Fuller,  in  a  little  crowd  of  preachers, 
said  to  Dr.  Crane :  'Crane,  what  is  the  difference  between 
a  Crane  and  a  turkey  buzzard  ?' 

"  'Well,'  said  Dr.  Crane,  'the  turkey  buzzard  is  fuller 
in  the  body,  fuller  about  the  head,  and,  in  fact,  is  (point- 
ing to  Dr.  Fuller)  Fuller  all  over.'  " 


388         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

This  sketch  may  well  close  with  the  description  given 
of  Dr.  Crane  in  "Flowers  and  Fruits,  or  Thirty-Six 
Years  in  Texas,"  by  Rev.  Z.  N.  Morell,  which  is  as 
follows : 

"As  a  scholar  Elder  Crane  has  but  few  equals ;  and 
his  superiors  are  very  scarce.  His  conversation,  his 
literary  addresses,  and  his  sermons  all  show  that  he  is 
not  only  a  profound  scholar,  but  that  he  has  always  been 
a  student,  and  is  still  a  student.  His  mental  discipline 
has  been  of  the  most  rigid  character.  In  person  he  is  of 
medium  height,  with  compact  form  inclined  to  corpu- 
lency. He  has  a  vigorous  constitution,  and  but  few  men 
are  able  to  do  the  amount  of  work  he  does.  When  I 
first  saw  him.  I  though  his  manner  somewhat  haughty 
and  stiff.  Each  time  I  met  him  afterwards  I  saw  my  mis- 
take more  plainly.  I  can  now  say,  that  a  more  loving,  kind, 
and  social  spirit  it  has  rarely  been  my  lot  to  meet.  His 
kind  consideration  and  affectionate  demeanor  toward  his 
brethren  in  the  ministry,  who  are  his  inferiors  in  point 
of  education,  I  do  think  worthy  of  admiration.  His 
powers  as  a  preacher,  when  fully  in  the  spirit  of  the 
Great  Master,  can  only  be  understood  and  appreciated 
by  those  who  have  heard  him  when  he  was  moved  and 
stirred  by  the  soul-inspiring,  experimental  truths  of  the 
gospel.  Under  the  pressure  of  all  the  duties  of  a  college 
president,  he  preaches  regularly,  and  to  his  ministry 
devotes  much  thought.  He  is  doing  a  noble  work  for 
the  churches,  and  the  cause  of  education." 


BARNET  GRIMSLEY 

The  same  year  that  gave  to  New  England,  Henry  W. 
Longfellow  and  John  G.  Whittier,  and  to  Virginia, 
Robert  E.  Lee,  saw  the  birth,  in  Culpeper  County,  Vir- 
ginia, of  Barnet  Grimsley.  When,  on  December  17, 
1807,  the  baby  in  the  Cnlpeper  home  was  two  days  old, 
at  Haverhill.  Mass.,  the  Quaker  poet  first  saw  the  light. 
Thomas  Jefferson  was  then  president  of  the  United 
States,  and  the  village,  near  which  the  future  Baptist 
preacher  was  born,  bore  the  name  of  him  who  was  "first 
in  peace,  first  in  war,  and  first  in  the  hearts  of  his 
countrymen."  Look  not  on  the  present  map  of  Culpeper 
County  to  find  Washington,  for  now  it  is  in  the  County 
of  Rappahannock,  which  was  formed  from  Culpeper. 
Unfortunately  the  names  of  Barnet  Grimsley's  parents, 
Wm.  Grimsley  and  Agnes  Norman,  must  stand  here 
without  facts  or  figures,  but  the  name  of  the  place  that 
gave  him  birth,  and  was  the  arena  of  his  work,  calls  to 
mind  the  long  line  of  the  beautiful  Blue  Ridge  Moun- 
tains that  bound  the  horizon  on  the  west  for  miles  and 
miles,  giving  glory  and  dignity  to  the  landscape.  At 
nine  years  of  age  the  boy  entered  the  school  of  Mr.  B. 
Wood,  where  he  remained  for  portions  of  four  sessions, 
and  where  he  gave  evidence  of  his  wonderful  memory. 
He  was  twelve  years  old  when,  at  a  commencement  oc- 
casion, he  declaimed  the  whole  of  a  sermon  on  "The 
Being  and  Perfections  of  God,"  from  the  British  Pul- 
pit. Until  he  was  eighteen  years  old  he  helped  his  father 
on  the  farm  and  used  his  spare  time  for  reading.  His 
books  were  few,  but  those  he  had  were  committed,  in 
large  measure,  to  memory.  At  twenty,  he  chose  what 
he  intended  to  be  his  life  work,  milling,  and  went  at  it 
with  such  characteristic  energy  that  soon  he  excelled  in 

389 


390         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

this  business.  In  those  days  farmers  paid  for  their 
grinding  in  toll,  and  millers  solicited  crops  in  advance. 
One  farmer,  whose  wheat  young  Grimsley  bespoke, 
promised  it,  provided  the  miller  would  subscribe  to  the 
Religious  Herald.  The  condition  was  complied  with, 
and  he  became  a  regular  and  lifelong  reader  of  the 
paper.  During  the  five  years  given  to  this  business  two 
important  events  took  place,  his  marriage  to  Miss  Ruth 
Updek,  a  farmer's  daughter,  and  the  conversion  and 
baptism  of  the  young  husband  and  wife.  The  baptism 
took  place  near  Washington,  in  November,  1831,  Rev. 
W.  F.  Broaddus  being  the  administrator,  and  Mount 
Salem  the  church.  About  a  year  later  he  was  licensed 
to  preach,  and  not  long  afterwards  the  mill  was  aban- 
doned. On  November  25,  1833,  he  was  ordained  to  the 
gospel  ministry,  and  became  pastor  of  Cedar  Creek,  a 
church  he  had  gathered  together  and  organized. 

The  licensing  of  that  young  miller,  in  October,  1832, 
was  the  beginning  of  a  fruitful  and  distinguished 
ministry  of  over  half  a  century.  The  scenes  of  these 
years  of  service  and  success  were  the  counties  of  Cul- 
peper,  Madison,  Fauquier,  Frederick,  and  Clarke,  all 
of  which,  save  two,  lie  in  Piedmont  Virginia.  The 
churches  served,  some  times,  according  to  the  custom  of 
the  day  and  section,  in  groups  of  four,  for  longer  or 
shorter  periods,  were :  Mount  Salem,  Cedar  Creek, 
Liberty,  Beth  Car,  Long  Branch,  Pleasant  Vale,  Jeffer- 
sonton,  Gourdvine,  Bethel,  Pleasant  Grove,  Flint  Hill, 
and  New  Salem.  While  the  length  of  these  pastorates 
varied,  it  appears  that  practically  unvarying  success 
marked  them  all.  Some  men  come  surely  but  slowly  to 
a  high  degree  of  power  in  the  ministry.  Not  so  with 
Mr.  Grimsley,  for  his  development  was  phenomenal :  in 
one  year's  time  he  had  reached  the  very  first  rank.  This 
is  in  keeping  with  what  we  are  told  of  his  capacity  for 
intense  application,  and  of  his  marvelous  memory.     In 


BARNET  GRIMSLEY  391 

his  school  days,  English  grammar  having  had  no  place, 
during  the  first  year  of  his  ministry  he  went  for  four 
days  and  a  half  without  either  food  or  sleep  that  he 
might  master  and  commit  to  memory  the  substance  of 
Kirkham's  Grammar.  Committing  to  memory  what  he 
desired  to  know  or  use  passed  into  a  custom  with  him, 
and  the  saddle,  where  he  spent  so  much  time,  became  the 
place  where  much  such  work  was  done.  Pollok's 
"Course  of  Time,"  and  Rollin's  Ancient  History  were 
two  of  the  books  which  thus  he  stored  away.  During 
his  ministry  he  was  often  called  on  to  repeat  a  sermon 
that  had  given  profit  and  pleasure.  This  he  could  do 
upon  a  moment's  notice.  Dr.  W.  F.  Broaddus  declared 
that  he  heard  him  once  comply  with  such  a  request, 
when  the  reproduction  was  exact  to  the  dotting  of  an  "i" 
and  the  crossing  of  a  "t."  Upon  another  occasion  some 
people,  who  had  come  a  long  way  to  a  meeting,  were 
not  satisfied  to  return  home  until  they  had  heard 
Grimsley.  "Give  us,"  they  cried,  "your  Paul  sermon." 
Their  request  was  immediately  and  easily  granted. 
When  Mr.  Grimsley  began  his  ministry  anti-missionary 
sentiment  was  widespread,  and,  as  a  consequence,  the 
churches  were  but  little  trained  in  the  matter  of  pastoral 
support.  For  a  season  he  worked  as  a  missionary,  re- 
ceiving his  support,  at  least  in  part,  from  the  Board  of 
the  Salem  Union  Association.  He  became  a  most 
effective  opponent  of  the  antinomian  doctrines.  Dr. 
W.  F.  Broaddus  waged  a  victorious  war  against  such 
teachings,  and  his  work  was  most  ably  seconded  and 
carried  forward  by  this  his  son  in  the  gospel.  He  was 
by  no  means  superficial  in  his  discussions  of  this  very 
vital  subject.  His  discussions  of  the  questions  at  issue 
went  down  to  basal  principles,  yet  he  knew  how  to  make 
his  argument  popular  and  effective  by  the  means  of 
illustrations.  Dr.  John  A.  Broadus,  who  as  a  boy  heard 
Grimsley,    tells   how    real   the    "old   school"    and    "new 


392         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

school"  controversy  was,  and  how  it  colored  much  of 
his  preaching.  He  says:  "While  he  greatly  delighted 
in  formally  stating  and  restating  the  points  of  an  argu- 
ment, he  understood  the  necessity  of  illuminating  his 
points  by  illustration  in  order  to  convince  the  popular 
mind,  and  his  command  of  illustration  was  something 
extraordinary.  He  seemed  to  remember  whatever  he 
had  read,  and  he  quickly  discerned  analogies  between 
religious  truth  and  the  objects  or  experiences  of  ordi- 
nary life.  Some  of  his  illustrations  would  flash  like  a 
meteor  for  a  moment,  while  others  rose  slowly  upon  us 
like  the  morning  sun,  till  they  seemed  to  fill  the  whole 
heavens  with  light  and  glory.  Into  his  exhortations  he 
poured  all  the  tremendous  earnestness  of  strong  con- 
victions, great-hearted  love,  and  a  deep  sense  of  minis- 
terial responsibility.  His  homely  but  strong-featured 
face  would  glow  with  impassioned  feeling,  the  great 
veins  on  his  forehead  would  swell  out  as  if  threatening 
to  burst,  his  voice  would  rise  to  a  sort  of  intoning,  that 
was  faulty  and  yet  curiously  impressive,  and  his  erect, 
energetic  figure  would  fling  itself  back  or  throw  itself 
forward  with  a  power  that  was  startling.  The  side 
gallery  in  which  I  used  to  sit  was  almost  within  reach 
of  him  as  he  stood  in  the  pulpit.  The  peculiarities  of 
his  appearance  and  utterance  were  thus  closely  observed. 
Yet  they  did  not  divert  attention  from  his  solemn  theme. 
All  that  he  said  was  admitted  as  true  and  binding,  and 
his  own  straightforw-ard  sincerity  and  consuming  ear- 
nestness were  fully  recognized.  Many  a  time  the  old 
gallery  seemed  to  shake  with  the  passion  of  his  appeals." 
Another  says  concerning  his  preaching:  "As  a  preacher 
he  has  had  few  equals.  His  reasoning  is  clear,  construc- 
tive, and  closely  logical ;  his  language  choice,  chaste, 
and  weighty ;  his  descriptive  power  remarkably  vivid, 
and  his  manner  earnest  and  impressive."  Yet  another. 
baptized  and  induced  into  the  ministry  by  him,  says  of 


BARNET  GRIMSLEY  393 

him :  "Gathering  momentum  he  carried  his  congrega- 
tion up  and  onward  until  we  thought :  How  he  soars, 
sings,  scintillates!  Who  would  not  be  a  Christian?  To 
preach  thus  is  the  greatest  earthly  glory."  Yet  another 
gives  this  illustration  of  the  tenderness  and  effectiveness 
of  his  preaching:  "On  one  occasion,  at  his  own  church, 
his  sermon  was  so  powerful  that  the  whole  congregation 
was  melted  to  tears,  many  coming  forward  and  asking 
the  prayers  of  God's  people.  As  soon  as  cjuiet  was 
restored,  one  of  the  brethren  rose  and  suggested  that  the 
meeting  be  continued  through  the  week.  He  stated 
that  they  all  intended  sowing  their  wheat  that  week,  it 
was  the  best  time,  but  it  was  far  more  important  that 
their  children  should  be  converted  than  that  their  wheat 
should  be  seeded.  The  meeting  was  continued  with 
gracious  results.  It  was  noted  that  at  the  next  harvest 
the  wheat  crop  was  unusually  good."  Mr.  Grimsley 
was  the  great  preacher  of  that  section  of  the  country. 
After  hearing  Richard  Fuller  people  would  say:  "He 
can  not  preach  like  Grimsley."  Towards  the  end  of  his 
life  he  came  to  have  the  title  of  "the  old  man  eloquent." 
Rev.  Dr.  M.  D.  Jeffries  tells  of  a  great  sermon  Mr. 
Grimsley  used  to  preach  on  the  text:  "God  forbid  that 
I  should  glory  save  in  the  cross  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,"  and  of  how  when  he  was  just  commencing  his 
ministry  this  venerable  preacher  asked  him  to  preach  at 
Gourdvine  Church.  He  did  so.  Mr.  Grimsley  added  a 
few  remarks,  which  contained  more,  so  the  young 
preacher  thought,  than  his  whole  sermon. 

The  distances  to  his  churches  were  so  great,  in  one 
case  thirty-five  miles,  that  much  of  his  time  was  spent 
in  the  saddle.  Towards  the  end  of  his  life  he  told  some 
one  that  he  had  traveled  125,000  miles  on  horseback, 
and  this  was  probably  a  moderate  estimate.  In  those 
days  even  more  than  to-day  churches  called  pastors  with 
almost  utter  disregard  of  distance.     What  is  considered 


394         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

now  in  our  country  districts  a  compact  field,  that  is,  one 
made  up  of  churches  in  contiguous  communities,  was 
ahnost  unknown.  A  preacher  aimed  to  remain  a  day 
or  so  after  an  appointment  in  a  community,  and  so  pay 
pastoral  visits,  but  even  then  much  work,  such  as  fun- 
erals, marriages,  and  baptisms,  fell  to  his  brother  min- 
ister, who  lived  near  at  hand.  It  was  balanced  up  at 
the  other  end  of  the  line.  Cumberland  George  and 
Barnet  Grimsley  were  contemporaries,  fellow-pastors. 
Because  of  the  situation  just  alluded  to  much  of  Mr. 
George's  work  fell  to  Mr.  Grimsley,  and  vice  versa.  So 
it  was  doubtless  that  a  young  man  named  John  A. 
Broadus,  who  wath  his  father's  family  belonged  to  Mr. 
Grimsley's  congregation,  having  made  a  profession  of 
religion,  was  baptized  by  Mr.  George.  It  is  interesting 
to  know  that  not  long  afterwards  this  same  young  man 
was  led  by  a  sermon  of  Dr.  A.  M.  Poindexter,  on  the 
parable  of  the  talents,  to  decide  to  be  a  minister.  After 
the  service  was  over,  with  streaming  e3^es  he  came  to 
his  pastor  and  said:  "Brother  Grimsley,  the  question  is 
decided ;    I  must  try  to  be  a  preacher." 

Not  only  in  the  pulpit,  but  in  the  social  circle  as  well, 
Mr.  Grimsley  was  highly  esteemed  and  most  useful. 
He  was  so  frequent  a  visitor  in  the  home  of  Major 
Broadus  as  to  cause  some  complaint  on  the  part  of  other 
members  of  the  church.  Dr.  John  A.  Broadus  gives 
interesting  memories  of  these  visits  to  his  father's 
house,  and  of  neighborhood  discussions  in  which  the 
pastor  bore  his  part.  He  says :  "Into  these  discussions 
Mr.  Grimsley  entered  with  great  eagerness,  and  often 
started  them  himself.  Besides  the  grammar  and 
Walker's  larger  dictionary,  reference  was  constantly 
made  to  Shakespeare  and  Pope,  to  Goldsmith,  and 
Cooper's  novels,  to  the  Richmond  Whig,  and  the 
Religious  Herald.  ...  I  remember  a  discussion, 
that  lasted  several  months  and  stirred  the  whole  neigh- 


BARNET  GRIMSLEY  395 

borhood,  upon  Mark  11:24:  'What  things  soever  ye 
desire,  when  ye  pray,  beheve  that  ye  receive  them  and 
ye  shall  have  them.'  Some  took  the  ground  that  'receive' 
was  in  the  subjunctive  mood,  meaning  in  order  that  ye 
may  receive.  They  might  well  think  so,  for  these 
teachers  were  all  making  earnest  efforts  to  resist  the 
growing  neglect  of  the  subjunctive  mood,  which  at  the 
present  day  has  become  almost  universal.  Nobody  ever 
thought  about  the  Greek — which  would  have  shown  in 
a  moment  that  the  verb  is  indicative,  and  past  tense — nor 
did  any  one  in  the  neighborhood  have  a  commentary. 

Though  so  destitute  of  helps,  the  pastor  and 
the  schoolmasters  spent  much  time  in  discussing  the 
meaning  of  Scripture,  and  this  gave  a  heightened  im- 
portance to  English  grammar.  It  is  difficult  to  estimate 
properly  the  glorified  recollections  of  early  youth ;  but 
my  impression  is  that  never  at  the  University  of  Vir- 
ginia nor  in  a  theological  seminary  have  I  heard  more 
interesting  or  (I  am  tempted  to  add)  more  able  discus- 
sions of  the  meaning  of  language  and  the  teachings  of 
Scripture,  than  in  that  country  home  when  the  pastor 
would  come  to  see  us.  It  was  very  interesting  to  hear 
him  talk  upon  the  ordinary  topics  of  country  life,  crops, 
and  stock,   and  agricultural  processes   and   implements. 

He  had  much  accurate  information  upon  these 
matters,  and  could  tell  of  the  agricultural  methods  em- 
ployed in  several  other  counties.  He  took  an  immense 
delight  in  receiving  or  imparting  information  and  in 
exchanging  ideas,  which  made  his  conversation  uni- 
formly attractive  and  inspiring.  .  .  .  Many  poli- 
ticians came  to  our  house,  including  occasionally  a  Con- 
gressman and  once  a  governor;  and  many  preachers 
came,  not  only  from  different  parts  of  the  State,  but 
agents  from  New  England  and  elsewhere,  representing 
the  Bible  Society,  the  Sunday-School  Union,  etc.  The 
growing  boy  regarded  the  preachers  as,  in  general,  much 


396         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

more  interesting  than  the  politicians,  though  a  fierce 
poHtical  partisan  himself.  Of  course  this  was  'a  childish 
ignorance/  for  most  people  are  fully  persuaded  that 
ministers  are,  in  general,  weak  and  dull. 
Among  all  those  who  came  often  enough  to  be  now 
remembered,  the  lad  regarded  Mr.  Grimsley  as  decidedly 
the  most  interesting  talker,  and  always  hailed  his  visits 
with  joy.  How  much  the  preacher  gains  in  his  hold 
upon  the  youth  of  the  congregation,  from  the  pastor's 
visits  to  their  homes — how  much,  that  is,  if  he  be  agree- 
able in  conversation  and  genuinely  earnest  in  his 
religious  tone.  Mr.  Grimsley's  conversation  w^ould  pass 
with  perfect  facility  from  ordinary  topics  to  something 
religious  and  back  again.  The  thought  never  entered 
my  mind  that  he  was  too  fond  of  talking  upon  other 
subjects.  In  fact  it  was  an  atmosphere  in  which  religion 
entered  very  readily  into  social  conversation  upon  what- 
ever topic." 

Several  years  before  his  death,  the  loss  of  his  voice 
and  the  infirmity  of  old  age  prevented  him  from  con- 
tinuing his  active  labors,  but  he  was  lovingly  ministered 
to  and  cared  for  by  his  friends  and  brethren.  The 
Mount  Salem  Church  never  accepted  his  resignation, 
and  continued  to  pay  his  salary  in  these  years  of  his 
decline,  their  new  pastor  doing  all  the  work  and  receiv- 
ing also  a  salary.  In  1872,  he  (Mr.  Grimsley)  was 
present  at  the  General  Association,  in  Staunton,  and  the 
minutes  of  that  session  close  with  the  words:  "Elder 
B.  Grimsley  led  in  solemn  prayer,  and  the  Association 
was  declared  adjourned,  to  meet  with,  etc."  He  died 
April  23,  1885. 


SAMUEL  BLAIR  RICE 

Virginia  Baptists  have  had,  within  the  last  half  cen- 
tury, two  ministers  by  the  name  of  Rice,  both  being  of 
Presbyterian  stock,  and  both  being  physicians,  yet  not 
kin  to  each  other.  One  of  these  men  was  Samuel  Blair 
Rice,  who  was  born  in  Halifax  County,  Virginia,  June 
16,  1801,  being  the  son  of  Dr.  William  Rice  and 
Temperance  Crenshaw  Rice.  His  paternal  grandfather, 
Rev.  David  Rice,  was  one  of  the  founders  and  one  of  the 
trustees  of  Hampden-Sidney  College,  and  afterwards 
known  as  the  ''father  of  the  Presbyterian  Church"  in  Ken- 
tucky; and  married  the  daughter  of  Rev.  Samuel  Blair, 
who,  Parke  Godwin,  in  his  "Biographical  Sketches," 
declares  was  "second  to  no  man  in  the  country  for  piety, 
learning  and  integrity."  Mr.  Rice's  maternal  grand- 
mother was  Sarah  Bacon,  sister  of  Izard  Bacon  of  "The 
Brook,"  near  Richmond,  a  man  of  large  wealth  and 
influence.  Mr.  Rice  graduated  in  medicine  in  New 
York,  but  soon  left  the  practice  of  the  healing  art  to 
become  a  preacher  of  the  gospel,  which  is  the  balm  of 
Gilead  to  sin-sick,  troubled  hearts.  He  was  ordained 
in  1835.  He  was  first  pastor  of  churches  in  Charlotte 
and  Halifax  counties,  and  later  of  the  Scottsville  (Albe- 
marle County)  and  Lovingston  (Nelson  County) 
churches.  Next,  it  seems,  he  was  pastor  in  Amherst. 
While  pastor  of  Mount  Moriah  Church  in  this  last- 
named  county  he  baptized  A.  B.  Brown,  who  afterward 
was  so  distinguished  as  a  preacher  and  as  a  teacher. 
This  event  was  the  more  remarkable  as  Mr.  Brown, 
while  teaching  school  in  the  family  of  Mr.  William  M. 
Waller,  a  wealthy  citizen  of  Amherst,  had  joined  the 
Episcopal    Church ;    however,    the    Baptist    Church    had 

397 


398         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

in  it  many  intelligent  men,  such  as  John  W.  Broaddus, 
Benjamin  Taliaferro,  Dr.  Gibson,  and  others,  and  young 
Brown,  "whether  from  intercourse  with  these  intelligent 
and  kind  Baptists  and  their  pastor  Dr.  Rice,  or  from  his 
own  independent  investigations,"  became  a  Baptist. 
Motley,  in  his  "Rise  of  the  Dutch  Republic,"  gives  a 
description  of  the  appearance,  even  to  the  color  of  the 
hair  and  eyes,  of  more  than  one  of  the  distinguished 
personages  that  his  pen  has  made  to  live  again.  Cer- 
tainly such  details  help  us  to  see  those  of  whom  w^e  read. 
We  are  so  fortunate  as  to  have  some  such  minutiae 
concerning  Dr.  Rice  from  two  different  men  who  knew 
him.  The  Rev.  Dr.  Paul  Whitehead,  a  distinguished 
Methodist  minister,  when  just  a  boy,  used  to  hear  Dr. 
Rice  preach  in  the  pulpit  of  the  small  Episcopal  Church 
in  New  Glasgow,  Amherst  County.  While  neither  texts 
nor  matter  of  the  sermons  were  remembered  "the  pecu- 
liarly rapid  enunciation  and  direct  and  earnest  manner" 
made  a  deep  impression.  Dr.  Whitehead  says :  "I  have 
not  lost  the  impress  of  the  tall,  straight  figure,  lean  and 
dark  skinned,  as  it  seems  to  me,  of  the  grave  and  earnest 
look,  of  that  steady  and  rapid  flow  of  speech.  The  lips 
were  not  widely  open  (as  if  he  might  have  held 
secretively  a  small  quid  in  his  jaws,  too  much  enjoyed 
to  be  quite  laid  aside  even  in  the  pulpit)  ;  gestures  were 
few,  mainly  a  waving  or  laying  ofT  of  the  hands  in 
front ;  the  sermons  were  not  of  inordinate  length ;  and, 
on  the  whole,  he  seemed  to  be  acceptable  and  very  much 
respected  by  the  little  community  divided  between  the 
several  churches." 

During  his  life  in  Amherst  an  event  took  place  which 
is  described  by  his  son,  Mr.  W.  L.  Rice,  at  present 
Mayor  of  the  City  of  Bristol,  Va.,  as  follows:  "About 
1850  or  1851  there  was  a  tremendous  revival  spirit  go- 
ing on  in  Amherst  County,  Virginia.  All  denomina- 
tions joined  in  union  services,  which  began  in  the  Metho- 


SAMUEL  BLAIR  RICE  399 

dist  churches.  These  meetings  had  continued  for  five 
or  six  weeks,  moving  from  church  to  church,  my  father 
taking  an  active  part  in  them.  Finally  they  closed  at  a 
Methodist  church,  and,  by  agreement,  the  doors  of  the 
Methodist  and  Baptist  churches  were  opened  to  receive 
new  members.  It  had  been  the  understanding  at  other 
churches,  when  the  meetings  closed,  to  open  the  doors 
without  making  any  sectarian  remarks,  leaving  the 
choice  of  the  churches  to  the  applicant ;  but,  at  this  last 
meeting,  a  Mr.  Wood,  a  Methodist,  made  a  strong  talk 
against  immersion,  and  challenged  my  father  to  discuss 
the  question  at  a  later  date.  My  father  accepted  the 
challenge  and  articles  of  agreement  were  drawn  up  giv- 
ing the  parties  about  thirty  days  to  prepare  themselves. 
They  were  to  meet  at  Amherst  Court-House,  where  an 
immense  arbor  was  erected ;  were  to  debate  three  days 
and  if  either  party  was  not  satisfied  to  continue  a  day 
longer.  Three  prominent  gentlemen,  not  members  of 
any  church,  and  unbiased  so  far  as  known,  were  to  de- 
cide as  to  the  merits  of  the  discussion.  At  the  conclu- 
sion of  the  three  days  the  judges  asked  the  question, 
'Are  you  satisfied,  gentlemen?'  and  the  immense  crowd 
yelled  for  a  decision.  Mr.  Wood  arose  and  stated  that 
he  thought  it  would  be  best  not  to  render  a  decision, 
since  it  would  not  settle  the  question.  I  omitted  to  state 
that  before  the  debate  closed  other  denominations  were 
drawn  into  the  discussion,  and  my  father  had  to  fight 
the  battle  alone.  As  a  result  of  this  discussion  more 
than  one  church  was  almost  depopulated."  The  forego- 
ing incident,  which  shows  clearly  that  Dr.  Rice  was  a 
strong  Baptist,  will  make  doubly  interesting  two  re- 
marks concerning  him,  one  by  his  son  who  has  just  been 
quoted,  and  the  other  from  his  daughter,  the  late  Mrs. 
Roger  A.  Pryor,  of  New  York  City.  Mayor  Rice  says : 
"My  father  was  beloved  and  respected  by  all  who  knew 
him.   If  he  had  a  fault  it  was  caused  by  his  liberality,  both 


400         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

in  respect  to  the  opinions  of  others,  and  generosity  with 
his  means."  Mrs.  Pryor  says:  "His  was  a  very  warm 
and  sympathetic  nature.  He  was  an  ardent  patriot  and 
a  most  devoted  minister.  Were  I  to  recall  any  one  char- 
acteristic above  all  others  I  should  say  that  the  Baptist 
Church  and  its  interests  absorbed  him  utterly.  He  lived 
for  it  and  was  forever  engaged  in  producing  harmony 
and  affection  among  its  members,  willing  to  travel  long 
distances  on  horseback  to  settle  differences  among 
families,  in  which  he  invariably  succeeded.  Hard  feel- 
ing, bitterness,  strife,  melted  away  under  his  influence. 
He  was  the  blessed  peacemaker  beloved  and  revered  by 
his  people."  It  will  be  interesting  in  this  connection  to 
remember  that  John  Bunyan  died  of  a  fever  contracted 
from  riding  forty  miles  from  Reading  to  London 
through  a  drenching  rain  to  reconcile  an  angry  father  to 
his  son. 

From  his  Amherst-Nelson  field,  for  he  had  been 
pastor  of  Adiel  in  the  latter  county  at  the  same  time  he 
was  at  Mount  Moriah,  Dr.  Rice  moved  to  Staunton.  Of 
his  organizing  a  Baptist  church  in  Staunton  and  begin- 
ning the  erection  of  a  house  of  worship  Rev.  Dr.  G.  B. 
Taylor,  who  immediately  succeeded  him  as  pastor  in 
Staunton,  says:  ''We  knew  that  Dr.  Rice  was  a  man 
of  imposing  presence  and  that  he  had  the  gifts  and  ex- 
perience necessary  for  the  pioneer  work  which  he  came 
to  accomplish.  Through  him  the  resident  Baptists  were, 
in  October,  1853,  gathered  together,  forming  this 
church.  Thirteen  members  united  in  the  organization. 
Thenceforward  the  bulk  of  his  time  and  strength  was 
given  to  raising  funds  for  the  erection  of  the  church 
house,  which  was  seen  to  be  a  prime  necessity.  .  .  . 
After  the  brethren  and  sisters  here  had  done  what  they 
could.  Dr.  Rice  traveled  all  over  eastern  Virginia, 
largely  in  a  private  conveyance,  visiting  not  only  the 
town  and  city  churches,  but  those  of  the  country  as  well. 


SAMUEL  BLAIR  RICE  401 

telling  of  the  labors  and  sacrifices,  specially  of  one  of 
the  members  here — how  her  skilful  and  busy  fingers 
wrought  ever  in  the  interest  of  the  building  that  was  to 
be.  .  .  .  The  building  rose  slowly,  some  prophesy- 
ing that  it  would  never  see  completion."  In  the  summer 
of  1857,  Dr.  Rice  closed  his  pastorate  in  Staunton. 

After  leaving  Staunton,  the  remainder  of  his  life  was 
spent  in  Eastern  Virginia.  He  was  pastor,  first  and 
last,  of  Fork  and  Little  River  churches,  in  Louisa 
County;  of  Waller's,  in  Spottsylvania  County,  and  of 
Ephesus,  in  Essex  County.  "Later  in  life  he  settled  in 
King  George  County,  and  rendered  valuable  sennce  to 
the  Baptist  cause.  From  feebleness  the  last  several 
years  of  his  life  were  quietly  spent  in  the  family  circle, 
and  yet  he  sometimes  preached  and  addressed  Sunday 
schools  up  to  the  last.  His  mind  and  sight  were  clear, 
his  strength  remarkable,  and  his  interest  in  the  cause  of 
God  and  man  unabated  to  the  end.  He  lies  buried,  as 
requested,  in  the  cemetery  of  the  Potomac  Baptist 
Church,  with  which  he  held  his  membership,  and  was 
identified  from  its  origin."  Dr.  Rice  was  married  three 
times.  He  left  a  widow,  a  number  of  children  and 
grandchildren.  He  died  suddenly  at  his  home  near 
Comorn,  King  George  County,  Virginia,  November  6, 
1885. 


ABRAM   BURWELL  BROWN* 

Abram  Biirwell  Brown  was  born  at  Allen's  Creek, 
Amherst  County,  Virginia,  October  20,  1821.  His 
father,  Martin  Brown,  was  the  son  of  Jeremiah  Browai, 
a  Revolutionary  soldier  of  E^nglish  descent.  Jeremiah 
Brown  and  all  his  children  were  apt  and  eager  to  learn, 
and  possessed  with  retentive  memories.  One  of  the 
daughters  had  so  remarkable  a  memory  that  she  came  to 
be  called  "Macaulay."  Martin  Brown's  wife  was  of 
Huguenot  extraction,  her  great-grandfather,  Abram 
Seay,  having  fled  from  persecution  in  France,  first  to 
England  and  then  to  Virginia.  Although  Mrs.  Brown 
died  when  her  oldest  son,  Abram,  was  only  eleven 
years  old,  the  memor}^  of  her  intelligence,  piety,  and 
unusual  beauty  were  with  him  through  life  a  tender 
benediction.  Her  untimely  death  broke  up  the  family, 
all  the  children  save  Abram  going  to  live  with  their 
grandfather,  Joseph  Seay.  Abram  remained  with  his 
father.  The  father  loved  to  read  and  handed  down  this 
taste  to  Abram,  who,  when  grown,  said :  "My  father 
loved  learning  and  loved  me,  and  so  he  made  many 
sacrifices  to  give  me  educational  advantages."  The  boy 
read  the  political  addresses  of  the  day  and  the  news- 
papers, finding  in  these  last  his  best  ideas  of  the  condi- 
tion of  the  country  from  the  advertisements.  His 
mother  having  taught  the  boy  to  count  and  his  letters, 
several  teachers  helped  him  through  several  stages  on 
the  road  to  learning.  Concerning  these  teachers  he 
afterwards  wrote :  "James  B.  Davidson  ...  so 
taught  me  spelling  and  reading  in  one  year  that  any  im- 

*Part  of  the  material  for  this  sketch  is  derived  from  Hatcher's 
"Life  of  A.  B.  Brown." 

402 


1 


ABRAM  BURWELL  BROWN  403 

provement  since  made  has  been  without  conscious  effort. 
The  next  year  he  imbedded  Murray's  grammar  in  my 
memory  for  future  uses.  Edwin  T.  Ellett,  in  teaching 
me  Latin  in  my  twelfth  year,  incidentally  utilized  my 
previous  acquirements  in  English,  and  made  me  as  good 
a  grammarian  as  I  ever  became  till  I  was  introduced,  in 
middle  life,  to  the  more  rational  and  logical  methods  of 
Kiihner,  Greene,  and  Mulligan.  This  able  and  efficient 
teacher  so  thoroughly  grounded  me  in  the  Latin  forms 
and  syntax,  and  so  carefully  trained  me  in  translation, 
that  subsequent  improvement  was  the  easy  result  of  con- 
tinued practice  and  increasing  mental  development."  A 
Frenchman,  named  Cruiseau,  taught  him  the  languages, 
and  as  for  mathematics  at  an  early  age  he  was  the  one 
to  whom  all  the  other  boys  came  to  have  their  examples 
worked.  Unfortunately  his  physical  development  did 
not  keep  pace  with  that  of  his  mind.  It  seems  that  he 
did  not  work  on  the  farm.  He  committed  much  poetry 
to  memory,  he  hardly  knowing  the  time  when  he  did  not 
have  at  his  command  "The  Lady  of  the  Lake."  His 
description  of  himself,  when  in  his  eighteenth  year  he 
began  to  teach,  with  what  we  know  of  his  mental  grasp, 
show  that  his  scholars,  if  they  must  have  one  so  young, 
were  fortunate  in  having  him.  He  says :  "Having  added 
to  my  acquirements  a  little  Greek,  rather  more  French, 
a  larger  complement  of  geometry  and  a  meager  scantling 
of  other  mathematics,  I  commenced  teaching  school. 
Unfortunately  I  divided  my  leisure  hours 
between  preparation  for  my  classes  and  the  study  of 
law." 

While  teaching,  he  boarded  in  the  home  of  Wm.  M. 
Waller,  an  Episcopal  family.  Here  he  made  a  pro- 
fession of  religion,  joined  the  Episcopal  Church,  and 
took  deacon's  orders,  expecting  to  preach.  Later, 
through  a  study  of  the  Bible  and  Dr.  Carson's  work  on 
"Baptism,"  he  was  led  to  adopt  Baptist  views.     At  this 


404         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

time,  he  heard  the  preaching,  at  Mount  Moriah  Church, 
of  Dr.  S.  B.  Rice,  who  later  took  part  in  his  ordination. 
In  the  session  of  1841-42,  he  entered  Washington  Col- 
lege, where  he  "prosecuted  with  great  intensity  Greek 
and  mathematics."  The  session  of  1846-47  he  spent 
at  the  University  of  Virginia,  and  speaking  of  him  at 
that  time,  John  A.  Broadus,  his  fellow-student,  after- 
wards wrote :  "In  Moral  Philosophy  I  was  his  class- 
mate. Before  the  middle  of  the  session  it  was  appar- 
ent to  me  that  he  was  the   foremost  man  of  the  class. 

We  soon  began  to  see  that  Mr.  Brown  greatly 
relished  philosophical  subjects.  .  .  .  He  was  singu- 
larly   exact    in    expression    and    at    times    quite    happy. 

I  had  occasion  to  introduce  my  friend  to  the 
ladies  of  several  families.  Not  then  prepossessing  in 
appearance  and  not  so  felicitous  in  the  adjustment  of 
apparel  as  in  fitting  a  w^ord  to  a  thought,  he  was  also 
embarrassed  in  company  by  his  constitutional  shyness, 
yet  .  .  .  the  young  ladies  saw  very  soon  how  un- 
commonly intelligent  he  was,  how  elevated  in  feeling 
and  tone  of  character.  .  .  .  Before  the  end  of  the 
session  I  had  a  great  admiration  of  his  mental  powers 
and  his  sincerity,  simplicity,  purity,  quiet  energy,  and 
thorough  conscientiousness.  He  was  also  very  prompt 
and  cordial  in  appreciation  of  others,  and  even  his  shy- 
ness showed  no  touch  of  unpleasant  self -consciousness." 
He  graduated  at  the  University  in  the  schools  of  Moral 
Philosophy,  Natural  Philosophy,  and  Chemistry,  taking 
certificates  of  proficiency  in  Geology  and  Mineralogy. 

After  leaving  the  University,  first  he  taught  school 
and  did  some  preaching,  and  then  engaged  in  missionary 
work  in  Lewis  County,  now  a  part  of  West  Virginia. 
While  out  among  these  mountains,  he  was  once  over- 
taken, on  his  way  to  an  appointment,  by  a  snowstorm 
so  severe  that  he  narrowly  escaped  being  frozen  to 
death.     Upon  asking  the  lady  with  whom  he  boarded 


ABRAM  BURWELL  BROWN  405 

while  he  was  teaching  how  much  his  bill  was  he  received 
this  reply:  "Mr.  Brown  you  owe  me  nothing;  your 
influence  over  my  boys  has  been  so  helpful  to  them 
and  so  pleasing  to  me  that  I  feel  that  I  am  in  debt  to 
you." 

His  pastoral  life  began  in  Halifax  and  Pittsylvania 
counties,  where  his  field  consisted  of  the  Arbor,  Mill 
Stone,  and  Ellis  Creek  churches.  Here  he  met  and,  in 
November,  married  Miss  Sallie  Wimbish.  a  sister  of 
Mrs.  A.  M.  Poindexter,  Rev.  S.  G.  Mason  performing 
the  ceremony,  the  bride  being  eighteen  years  old,  and 
the  groom  thirty.  After  a  few  years  in  this  country 
field,  Mr.  Brown  accepted  an  invitation  to  take  charge 
of  the  departments  of  Moral  Philosophy  and  French,  at 
Hollins  Institute.  Again,  at  the  close  of  his  Hampton 
pastorate,  he  went  to  Hollins  to  teach,  this  second  time 
his  chair  being  English  Language  and  Literature.  Dr. 
C.  L.  Cocke  said  that  the  pupils,  teachers,  and  Sunday 
congregations  soon  realized  that  they  had  in  their  midst 
"a  genius  and  a  master,  a  man  of  eminent  gifts  and 
scholarship,  of  great  originality  and  grasp  of  both 
thought  and  expression.  ...  He  was  indeed  a 
teacher  of  no  ordinary  mould.  .  .  .  His  mind 
seemed  to  weary  of  well-worn  ruts  and  narrow  channels 
of  feebler  intellects,  and  reached  its  conclusions  by  new 
and  more  elevated  roads.  .  .  .  From  leadership  in 
any  sphere,  however  humble,  his  peculiarly  sensitive 
nature  caused  him  instinctively  to  shrink;  but,  whether 
in  the  social  circle,  in  public  assembly,  or  the  lecture- 
room,  when  this  reserve  was  once  broken  and  all  re- 
straint removed,  words,  thoughts,  anecdotes,  classic 
allusions,  beauty  and  strength  of  illustration  flowed  in 
smooth,  rapid  current,  charming,  edifying,  and  impress- 
ing all  so  fortunate  as  to  be  his  hearers." 

All  though  his  life  the  slightest  disturbance  in  the  con- 
ofreeation  worried  him  and  caused  him  to  lose  his  self- 


406         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

control  and  some  say  his  temper.  One  incident  that 
occurred  while  he  was  at  Hollins  shows  a  weakness  in 
this  man  who  had  so  much  that  was  strong  and  great. 
The  Enon  pastor,  Rev.  J.  A.  Davis,  had  lost  one  of  his 
children,  and  Mr.  Brown  was  to  preach  Sunday  morn- 
ing. He  had  begun  his  sermon  when  some  conversa- 
tion or  laughter  led  him  to  break  off  his  sermon 
abruptly,  turn  and  say  to  Mr.  Davis :  "You  can  preach 
to  your  people  yourself ;  I  will  not"  ;  then  he  rushed  from 
the  church.  One  of  the  boys  met  him  as  he  walked 
rapidly  towards  the  Institute,  and  not  understanding  the 
situation  demanded:  "What  is  the  matter,  Mr.  Brown? 
Are  the  Yankees  coming?"  He  did  not  go  home,  but 
to  a  grove  to  weep  over  his  behavior.  The  children, 
who  saw  him  go  quite  often  to  this  grove,  would  always 
say  as  he  passed,  walking  in  that  direction :  "Mr.  Brown 
is  going  to  pray." 

In  January,  1857,  Mr.  Brown  left  Hollins  to  become 
pastor  of  the  church  in  Hampton.  Before  his  call  to 
this  place  he  had  supplied  the  pulpit  one  Sunday,  and 
the  announcement  that  "a  Brother  Brown"  would  preach 
had  brought  together  a  large  congregation.  This  ordeal 
was  a  trying  one  for  Mr.  Brown,  for  the  church  had 
had  a  number  of  able  men  for  pastors,  and  he  was  timid. 
The  winter  of  1856-57  is  remembered  as  the  coldest  ever 
known  in  Virginia,  and  on  a  cold,  dark  day,  the  first 
Sunday  in  January,  1857,  Mr.  Brown  began  his  work 
in  Hampton.  Ships  and  steamers  were  icebound  in  the 
Chesapeake  Bay.  Communication  between  Hampton 
and  Norfolk  was  cut  off  for  two  weeks.  Several  large 
immigrant  ships  bound  for  New  York  came  into 
Hampton  Roads.  One  of  the  few  persons  who  could 
communicate  with  the  Germans  aboard  these  vessels 
was  the  pastor  of  the  Hampton  Baptist  Church.  While 
not  fluent  in  speech,  such  was  his  knowledge  of  German 
and  so  great  his    ability  to  learn    quickly  anything  to 


ABRAM  BURWELL  BROWN  407 

which  he  turned  his  mind,  that  he  was  found  talking  to 
and  interpreting  for  these  foreigners.  This  dehghted 
his  members.  At  this  period  the  Hampton  Church  had 
in  its  membership  a  large  number  of  persons  of  wealth 
and  culture.  There  was  in  the  town  a  military  academy. 
The  Chesapeake  College  for  young  w^omen  was  also 
there.  In  June,  1858,  the  Baptist  General  Association 
of  Virginia  met  with  the  Hampton  Church.  During  the 
session  of  the  body  there  was  a  beautiful  scene,  in  which 
the  Hampton  pastor  bore  a  conspicuous  part.  Seven 
young  people  were  baptized  in  the  Chesapeake  Bay. 
More  than  a  thousand  persons  from  all  parts  of  Vir- 
ginia and  from  many  other  states  witnessed  this  burial 
with  Christ.  The  eloquent  Dr.  J.  L.  Burrows  made  the 
address  of  the  occasion.  Not  giving  heed  to  the  advance 
of  the  incoming  tide,  when  he  finished  his  speech  his 
feet  were  covered  with  water. 

As  illustrating  the  childlike  candor  of  Mr.  Brown, 
Rev.  J.  C.  Hiden,  at  that  time  teaching  in  the  Chesa- 
peake College,  tells  the  following  incident :  "On  a  cer- 
tain Sunday,  just  after  taking  his  stand  to  preach,  he 
said :  T  suspect  that  some  of  my  hearers  to-day  will 
think,  what  I  can  not  but  agree  with  them  in  thinking, 
that  the  discourse  is  not  even  up  to  my  usual  imperfect 
standard  of  preparation.  My  excuse  is  that  I  have  been 
so  engaged  during  the  week  that  I  have  not  given  my 
usual  amount  of  time  tp  the  preparation  for  my  pulpit 
work  to-day.'  .  .  .  The  truth  was  that  Brother 
Brown  had  just  gotten  hold  of  Randall's  'Life  of  Jef- 
ferson,' .  .  .  and  .  .  .  this  ...  so  took 
possession  of  his  mind  as  to  cheat  him  out  of  his  time. 
A  day  or  two  after  this  apology  I  w^as  in  his 
study,  and  pointing  to  Randall's  book,  which  was  lying 
on  his  study  table,  he  said :  'There  is  the  fellow  that 
robbed  me  of  my  time  last  week.'  " 

In  November,  1859,  Mr.  Brown  left  Hampton  to  be- 
come pastor  of  the  Charlottesville  Baptist  Church.     At 


408         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

this  time  the  Albemarle  Female  Institute,  manned  by  an 
unusually  brilliant  corps  of  teachers,  with  John  Hart  at 
its  head,  added  to  the  fame  of  Charlottesville  as  a  seat 
of  learning.  Not  only  was  Mr.  Brown  to  have  Univer- 
sity professors  and  students  in  his  congregation,  but  he 
was  to  succeed  John  A.  Broadus.  At  the  "June  Meet- 
ing," of  1859,  held  in  Charlottesville,  just  as  Mr. 
Brown  was  about  to  preach,  a  brother  preacher  whis- 
pered to  him  :  "Do  your  best.  They  are  thinking  about 
calling  you  here."  This  most  unfortunate  and  untimely 
remark  almost  ruined  the  sermon.  That  which  was  one 
of  Mr.  Brown's  most  marked  gifts  may  have  kept  his 
Charlottesville  pastorate,  perhaps  all  his  pastorates,  from 
reaching  marked  success.  His  was  such  a  master  in- 
tellect that  perhaps  most  of  his  sermons  were  over  the 
heads  of  his  hearers.  The  distinguished  Lewis  Minor 
Coleman,  at  that  time  a  professor  at  the  University  of 
Virginia,  after  hearing  Mr.  Brown  for  the  first  time, 
asked:  "Mr.  Hiden,  who  is  this  man  Brown?"  Later 
he  remarked:  "Mr.  Brown  has  my  exact  range;  he  hits 
me  every  time."  There  seems  to  be  difference  of 
opinion  as  to  whether  he  was  a  popular  preacher ;  cer- 
tainly he  was  a  profound  thinker  and  a  master  of  ex- 
pression in  the  most  classic  English.  A  plain  man,  a 
mechanic,  a  member  of  his  church,  remarked :  "I  hear 
folks  complain  that  they  can  not  understand  Mr.  Brown ; 
I  believe  it  is  because  they  know  so  little  about  their 
Bibles."  Certainly  men  like  John  Hart  were  charmed 
with  his  preaching.  Mr.  Hart  said  that  he  reminded 
him  of  Milton.  He  also  said:  "When  I  have  tried  to 
set  forth  with  some  completeness  of  discussion,  an  im- 
portant doctrine  of  Christianity.  I  have  been  surprised 
to  see  with  what  distinctness  the  struggle  of  thought 
brings  up  what  I  at  once  recognize  as  a  residuum  of  the 
teaching  of  A.  B.  Brown."  Mr.  Hart  gives  other  inter- 
esting facts  about  Mr.  Brown :    "Dr.  Brown  taught  the 


I 


ABRAM  BURWELL  BROWN  409 

Moral  Philosophy  course  in  the  Institute  during  the 
session  of  1860-61.  .  .  .  Metaphysics  was  his 
mind's  native  element.  Women  are  usually  thought  to 
be  disinclined  to  the  severe  logical  process,  pertinent  to 
this  subject.  But  Dr.  Brown's  class  caught  his  enthu- 
siasm. ...  In  person  A.  B.  Brown  was  not  hand- 
some. Tall,  lean,  limber,  and  singularly  given  to  acute 
angles  in  gesticulation,  he  was  yet  a  remarkable  con- 
sistency. The  ponderous,  rugged,  and  stimulating 
thoughts  he  was  wont  to  throw  out  could  never  have 
suited  a  pulpit  Chesterfield.  Very  soon  his  hearers  felt 
the  subtle  harmony  that  bound  up  the  man  and  his 
thoughts  into  one  unique  whole — to  the  integrity  of 
which  one  part  then  seemed  as  essential  as  another.  But 
a  stranger  was  surely  pardonable  whose  attention  was 
mainly  attracted  for  a  time  to  the  sensible  rather  than 
the  intellectual.  ...  I  doubt  if  any  man  ever  heard 
him  make  a  harsh  comment  on  the  sermon  of  a  brother 
preacher.  Occasionally  when  some  one  else  occupied  his 
pulpit  he  was  ever  a  patient  and  interested  listener  and 
very  commonly  almost  enthusiastic  in  commendation — 
and  this  sometimes  when  I  was  obliged  to  confess  that 
I  had  been  bored." 

Dr.  H.  H.  Harris,  who  was  a  student  at  the  Univer- 
sity when  Mr.  Brown  was  pastor  at  Charlottesville,  tells 
this  incident,  which  gives  clear  evidence  of  what  a 
thinker  and  student  Mr.  Brown  was.  Dr.  Harris  says : 
"There  was  in  his  congregation  a  certain  University 
student  who  was  a  graduate  in  the  school  of  Greek,  and 
had  pursued  a  course  of  post-graduate  study.  The  new 
pastor  .  .  .  sought  him  out  .  .  .  stated  that 
he  himself  had  some  little  knowledge  of  Greek,  but 
would  like  to  refresh  his  acquaintance  and  get  up  with 
any  recent  advances  in  philology.  The  young  collegian 
was  highly  flattered  and  readily  accepted  an  invitation 
to  spend  an  hour  at  the  parsonage  every  Thursday  after- 


410         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

noon.  .  .  .  On  the  appointed  day  the  student  went 
down  with  a  comfortable  sense  of  his  own  importance. 
After  a  Httle  pleasant  bantering  as  to  whether  teacher 
or  pupil  should  begin  the  recitation  the  so-called  teacher 
was  induced  to  commence  turning  the  Greek  into  Eng-  ■ 

lish.     But  stop  a  moment,  a  question  ;  presently  another,  I 

and  then  another.  'Why  is  this  tense  used?  Why  this 
peculiar  position?  What  is  the  meaning  of  this  root, 
and  W'hat  are  its  forms  in  cognate  tongues?' 
Such  are  examples  of  the  queries  which  came  thick  and 
fast.  .  .  .  In  less  than  half  an  hour  .  .  .  the 
relation  of  teacher  and  pupil  was  entirely  reversed. 
At  the  end  of  the  hour  not  more  than  two 
dozen  lines  had  been  read,  but  one  of  the  two  had 
learned  a  great  deal." 

Dr.  Geo.  Frederick  Holmes,  so  long  a  professor  in  the 
University  of  Virginia,  and  so  widely  known  through 
his  series  of  "readers,"  speaks  thus  of  Mr.  Brown  and  his 
sermons :  "I  frequently  attended  the  services  at  his 
church  for  the  instruction,  direction,  and  consolation 
derived  from  his  sermons.  These  were  always  full  of 
matter,  well-considered  and  suggestive ;  and  were  both 
a  guide  and  a  cardiac.  The  thoughts  were  abundant, 
strong,  and  closely  concatenated.  There  was  a  novelty 
as  well  as  a  straightforwardness  in  their  presentation 
which  aroused  interest  and  secured  acceptance,  after 
careful  examination.  Unquestionably  his  discourses 
were  too  compact  and  abstruse  to  be  fully  apprehended 
by  an  inattentive  or  unsympathizing  audience.  Their 
delivery  was  awkward  and  at  times  grotesque.  This  im- 
paired their  effect  on  a  promiscuous  congregation.  But 
the  negligence  of  manner  and  the  disregard  of  fonn 
drew  attention  to  the  substance  of  what  was  said,  and 
won  upon  the  regards  of  those  who  discerned  the  value 
of  the  gem  without  caring  for  the  setting." 

The  second  time  that  Mr.  Brown  gave  up  his  work  at 
Hollins  it  was  to  go  to  the  army  that  he  might  preach 


ABRAM  BURWELL  BROWN  411 

to  the  soldiers.  He  was  scarcely  physically  equal  to  the 
hardships  of  camp  life,  yet  he  could  not  stand  aloof  in 
this  time  of  his  country's  emergency,  so  his  family  was 
sent  to  Pittsylvania,  while  he  turned  to  the  army  and 
became  missionary  chaplain  to  Carter's  Artillery 
Battalion. 

At  the  close  of  the  War,  Mr.  Brown  became  once 
more  a  country  pastor,  and,  besides,  a  farmer  and  a 
school-teacher.  The  general  poverty  all  over  Virginia 
and  the  South  and  the  changed  condition  of  things  made 
such  a  combination  of  duties  the  lot  of  many  a  preacher. 
Mr.  Brown  was  not  fitted  by  physical  constitution  or 
previous  manner  of  life  to  make  a  good  farmer,  yet  he 
laid  hold  of  the  drudgery  even  of  the  farm  with  a  brave 
hand.  Teaching  young  men  was  for  him  far  more  con- 
genial work,  and  gradually  this  as  well  as  the  farm  work 
was  given  up  that  he  might  minister  to  churches  near 
him  in  the  counties  of  Halifax  and  Pittsylvania.  Dur- 
ing the  years  spent  in  this  section  he  served  as  pastor 
these  churches :  Mill  Stone,  Arbor,  Ellis  Creek,  Green- 
field, Shockoe,  Catawba,  and  County  Line.  A  lady  who 
heard  him  preach  in  1874,  at  Greenfield  Church,  thus 
describes  the  occasion:  "I  had  the  opportunity  long 
desired  of  hearing  him  preach.  His  subject  was  the 
Prodigal  Son ;  his  audience  an  average  country  congre- 
gation. His  treatment  of  his  subject  was  all  that  could 
be  asked  even  of  him.  I  could  not  restrain  my  tears, 
and  there  were  few  there  who  could.  .  .  .  One 
would  suppose  that  as  a  preacher  he  would  not  be  under- 
stood by  the  mass  of  the  people,  and,  doubtless,  in  some 
of  his  exalted  moments,  when  the  grand  reaches  of  his 
imagination  could  scarcely  find  words  even  in  his  vast 
range  of  speech,  he  could  not  be  followed  by  the  majority 
of  his  hearers ;  but,  even  then,  there  was  always  an 
abundance  of  thought  which  could  be  appropriated  by 
minds  of  every  capacity.  So  even  the  plainest  of  his 
hearers  was  pleased  and  taught,  and  all  knew  and  valued 
his  worth." 


412         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

An  incident  is  told  which  shows  how  very  hberal  Mr. 
Brown  was  even  in  the  difficult  years  just  after  the  War. 
The  district  association  was  in  session  at  Black  Walnut 
Church.  Mr.  Brown  had  some  money  which  his  wife 
had  given  him  with  which  to  buy  a  vest.  After  hearing 
an  impassioned  appeal  for  foreign  missions  from  Dr. 
A.  M.  Poindexter  he  rose  and  said:  "Here  is  money 
my  wife  gave  me  when  I  left  home  to  purchase  me  a 
vest,  but  the  vest  may  go  and  I  will  do  without  it,  and 
foreign  missions  can  have  it."  Soon  after  the  War, 
Richmond  College  conferred  on  him  the  degree  of 
Doctor  of  Divinity,  and  in  1884  he  received  the  degree 
of  LL.  D.,  from  the  University  of  Tennessee. 

It  is  not  surprising  that  at  least  once  Dr.  Brown,  in  a 
deep  train  of  thought,  forgot  where  he  was  and  the 
business  in  hand.  It  was  at  a  meeting  of  the  Dan  River 
Association.  The  brother  appointed  to  preach  the  intro- 
ductory sermon  was  absent.  At  short  notice  Dr.  Brown 
was  called  on  to  perform  this  duty.  He  agreed  to  do  so 
provided  he  might  have  a  few  moments  alone  in  the 
woods  to  collect  his  thoughts.  When  he  delayed  to 
return  some  of  the  brethren  went  to  look  for  him,  think- 
ing that  perhaps  in  the  midst  of  his  deep  meditation  he 
had  lost  his  way.  It  proved  to  be  even  so.  He  returned 
to  the  church  and  preached  a  noble  sermon. 

In  1871,  the  General  Association  met  in  Petersburg. 
The  State  Mission  Board  confronted  a  serious  crisis, 
probably  the  most  serious  in  its  history.  There  was  a 
debt  of  $5,000,  and,  in  view  of  the  impoverished  con- 
dition of  the  country,  this  was  a  mountain  of  difficulty. 
Various  brethren  spoke,  but  discouragement  and  gloom 
rested  upon  the  Association.  At  this  juncture  Dr. 
Brown  arose  and  spoke.  His  speech  was  epoch  making. 
It  saved  the  day.  He  showed  that  Virginia  needed  the 
gospel  as  Virginia  Baptists  were  able  to  present  it.  He 
made  a  plea  for  cooperation.     One  illustration  which  he 


ABRAM  BURWELL  BROWN  413 

used  has  been  preserved.  He  declared  that  the  mission- 
aries were  at  the  front,  that  those  of  us  at  the  rear 
should  freely  give  them  our  support,  and  then  he  said : 
"Mr.  President,  I  suppose  that  the  Battle  of  Gettysburg 
decided  the  fate  of  the  Confederacy.  At  the  time  that 
Pickett's  Division  made  its  splendid  charge,  the  angel 
of  history  hovered  over  the  scene  to  write  down,  a  nation 
is  born,  but  the  division  which  was  to  support  Pickett's 
failed  to  respond,  and  the  broken  squadrons  of  the 
Northern  Army  rallied,  and  plucked  from  their  hands 
their  hard-earned  victory;  and  that  angel  turned  away 
with  tears  of  iron,  and,  with  a  pen  of  fate,  wrote  the 
lost  cause."  The  day  was  saved.  Dr.  Brown's  speech 
led  to  a  collection  which  swept  away  the  Board's  debt 
and  gave  it  a  new  lease  on  life.  At  the  close  of  Dr. 
Brown's  speech  one  of  the  preachers  rushed  out  of  the 
church  exclaiming:  "Let  me  get  out.  After  hearing 
Brown,  I  can  hear  nothing  else." 

When  Dr.  J.  L.  M.  Curry  resigned  his  chair  at  Rich- 
mond College  to  accept  the  agency  of  the  Peabody  Fund, 
Dr.  Brown  was  elected  Professor  of  English.  He  ac- 
cepted the  position  and  filled  it  with  distinguished 
ability  up  to  his  last  illness.  He  was  popular  both 
among  the  students  and  in  the  community.  He  held 
the  affection  and  respect  of  the  boys,  and  a  brother 
professor  said  of  him  when  his  work  was  done :  "Both 
by  faculty  and  students  he  was  the  best  loved  of  us  all." 
When  it  was  known  that  Dr.  Brown  was  to  deliver  one 
of  the  "faculty  lectures"  the  Richmond  people  never  left 
a  vacant  seat  in  the  hall.  Dr.  Chas.  H.  Ryland,  who 
knew  him  so  well,  speaks  of  some  elements  of  his  great- 
ness, and  tells  a  characteristic  anecdote :  "His  wonder- 
ful versatility  brought  all  the  college  to  his  feet.  He 
was  encyclopedic,  and  many  of  the  'hard  questions' 
which  arose  in  the  multiform  relations  of  student  life 
were    referred    with    entire    confidence    to    him.      His 


414         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

genius  was  the  admiration  of  the  college.  .  .  .  His 
college  life  was  marked  by  rare  equanimity,  purity,  un- 
selfishness, and  beauty.  .  .  .  One  day  as  he  was 
borne  along  by  the  inspiring  theme  of  his  lecture  he 
dropped  his  spectacles.  He  picked  them  up  and  put 
them  on  upside  down.  The  effect  was  irresistible ;  there 
was  a  titter,  then  a  laugh.  For  the  first,  and  only,  time, 
so  far  as  I  have  ever  heard,  the  doctor  lost  his  self- 
possession  and  dismissed  the  class.  The  room  was 
cleared,  but  no  sooner  w^as  the  hallway  reached  than  the 
cry  arose :  Tt  will  not  do !  It  will  not  do !  Dr.  Brown 
must  not  think  we  meant  to  treat  him  with  disrespect.' 
Three  of  the  older  men  were  deputed  to  return  at  once 
and  explain  the  cause  of  their  involuntary  merriment, 
and  ask  the  loved  professor's  pardon.  When  they  went 
in  they  found  him  with  a  look  of  indignation  upon  his 
usually  kindly  face.  But  no  sooner  had  their  case  been 
presented  than  he  joined  in  the  laugh,  and,  patting  the 
three  upon  their  shoulders  in  the  most  forgiving  way, 
said:    Tt  is  all  right — tell  them  it  is  all  right!'  " 

Dr.  Ryland  well  speaks  of  his  knowledge  as  being 
encyclopedic.  He  was  a  great  linguist.  Without  a 
teacher  he  learned  German,  Hebrew,  Sanskrit,  Anglo- 
Saxon,  Spanish,  and  Italian.  In  his  school  days  he  had 
acquired  French,  Latin,  and  Greek.  Italian  was  the  last 
language  he  learned.  Just  a  few  weeks  before  his  death 
some  one  saw  him  reading  "Pilgrim's  Progress"  in 
Italian.  And  just  a  few  days  before  his  death  Man- 
zoni's  great  novel,  'T  Promissi  Sposi,"  was  taken  to 
him  from  the  library.  He  had  learned  Italian  without 
the  use  of  a  dictionary. 

Rev.  J.  B.  Williams,  who,  while  a  student  at  Richmond 

College,   boarded    in    Dr.    Brown's    family,    gives    some 

interesting  incidents  of  him  in  his  home  life:  "Dr.  Brown 

was   one   of  the  most   indulgent    fathers   I   ever  knew. 

It  was  his  custom  to  pra}^  at   family  worship 


ABRAM  BURWELL  BROWN  415 

for  his  absent  children  by  name.  .  .  .  The  hour  for 
worship  was  always  an  interesting  one.  He  would  read 
the  text  in  different  languages,  sometimes  Greek,  some- 
times Hebrew,  Latin,  or  French,  and  would  usually 
comment  on  it  as  he  read.  .  .  .  The  servants 
always  liked  him.  .  .  .  An  old  colored  woman,  who 
had  lived  with  him  a  long  time,  said  the  reason  why 
'Marse  Abram'  never  troubled  about  anything  was  that 
his  thoughts  were  'way  up  yonder.'  It  was  his  custom 
to  read  at  family  worship  on  Christmas  Day  Milton's 
Ode  on  the  Nativity  of  Christ." 

His  children  thought  he  had  a  splendid  voice  and 
loved  dearly  to  hear  him  sing.  He  used  to  sing  some 
of  Burns'  national  songs  with  such  pathos  that  it  was 
impossible  to  listen  to  him  and  not  to  be  melted  to  tears. 
One  of  his  favorites  was: 

"Scots,  wha  hae  wi'  Wallace  bled, 
Scots,   wham   Bruce  has  aften  led, 
Welcome  to  your  gory  bed, 
Or  to  victory,"  etc. 

He  always  sang  in  the  morning,  upon  waking,  some 
familiar  hymn. 

While  Dr.  Brown  was  always  a  frail  man,  when  he 
came  to  his  last  illness  he  said  that  he  never  had  had  a 
serious  illness,  and  had  never  known  the  day  when  he 
could  not  dress  himself.  Yet  to  look  at  him  one  would 
have  supposed  that  he  was  often  ill.  He  was  a  victim  to 
constitutional  infirmities;  he  was  singularly  exempt 
from  ordinary  diseases.  He  was  on  the  streets  on 
Saturday,  in  his  usual  health,  and  the  following  Friday 
(November  27,  1885),  at  9.20  p.  m.,  he  passed  away. 
The  funeral  took  place  at  Grace  Street  Baptist  Church, 
where  he  had  held  his  membership,  on  Sunday  after- 
noon. It  was  a  terrible  day.  The  rain  fell  in  torrents 
without  ceasing.     The  streets  were  flooded  with  water. 


416         VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 

The  wind  was  cutting.  Yet  a  great  congregation 
gathered.  Prof.  H.  H.  Harris,  assisted  by  Rev.  Dr. 
C.  F.  James,  conducted  the  exercises,  and  the  speakers 
were  Rev.  Dr.  W.  E.  Hatcher,  Rev.  Wm.  C.  Tyree,  who 
represented  the  students,  and  Rev.  Dr.  Wm.  D.  Thomas. 
On  account  of  the  very  inclement  weather  the  burial  did 
not  take  place  until  the  next  day.  Then,  in  the  presence 
of  the  family  and  the  faculty  and  students,  his  body 
was  laid  to  rest  on  the  College  lot  in  beautiful  Holly- 
wood. 

With  these  words  from  the  pen  of  Dr.  Andrew 
Broaddus,  of  Caroline,  this  sketch  may  well  close :  "In 
character  and  deportment  Dr.  Brown  was  the  most  un- 
assuming man  of  prominence  I  ever  knew.  .  .  .  He 
never  lost  the  engaging  simplicity  of  childhood,  and  of 
him  it  might  be  said  as  truthfully  as  of  any  one  the  writer 
has  ever  known,  'Behold  an  Israelite  indeed  in  whom 
there  in  no  guile.'  It  is  thought  by  some,  that  superior 
intellectual  gifts  are  usually  coupled  with  a  cold  heart; 
that  the  light  of  the  intellect  dazzles  but  does  not  warm. 
If  this  be  generally  true  .  .  .  Dr.  Brown's  case  cer- 
tainly formed  a  marked  exception.  His  heart  was  as 
warm  as  his  intellect  was  brilliant.  His  hearty  grasp 
of  the  hand,  and  his  cordial  words  of  greeting  furnished 
an  index  of  his  genial,  loving  nature.  A  lady  of  my 
accjuaintance,  who  is  herself  adorned  with  no  ordinary 
attractions  of  person,  manners,  mind,  and  heart,  says 
she  always  liked  to  meet  Dr.  Brown  on  the  street,  be- 
cause instead  of  bowing  or  lifting  his  hat,  as  he  passed 
on  after  the  manner  of  most  town  people,  he  stopped, 
and  seizing  her  hand  in  his  cordial  grasp  he  accosted  her 
with  a  beaming  smile  and  pleasant  words  of  greeting. 
In  intellect  and  heart,  in  motive  and  aim,  in  character 
and  conduct,  Dr.  Brown  was  a  man  among  a  thousand." 


INDEX 


PAGE 

Abell,  A.  P 78 

Alderson.  L.  A 320 

Alleghany   College    26 

Allen.  L.  W 163, 172-6 

Allgood,  Wm 36 

Amon\  E.  S 252 

Anthony,    A 375 

Anthony,  J 375 

Armistead,  T 189 

Armstrong,  J 19 

Bacon,  J.  S 365 

Bagby,  A 7,  148,  159 

Bagby,  A.  P 34 

Bagby,  R.  H 80-92.  156 

Bailey,  J.  C 342-3 

Bailey,  C.  T _ 343 

Baker.  J.  S 264 

Baldwin.  A.  A 52 

Ball.   Eli   35 

Baptist,   E 28-40,  93. 105.  165,  222,  229.  232 

Baptist.  E.  G 39.  358 

Barbour,  P.   P 177 

Barlow.  A 297-300 

Barber.  S.  B 347 

Barker.  F.  M 48-51.  59 

Barkley.  J.  G 339 

Barnes.    P 1 10 

Barron,  A.  C 358 

Basye,  J 370 

Battaile,  L 16 

Bayley.  Jas.  Roosevelt  384 

Beale.  G.  W 7,  156 

Bell,  T.  D 221 

Bennett,  A.  H 347 

Betts,  W.  S 273 

Billingsley,  J.  A 13.  17.96 

Bitting.  C.  C 241 

Bland.  W.  S 54.  252-3 

Blair.   S 397 

Blackwell.  C.  S 201 

Booton.  A.  C 238 

Bowen.  T.  J 339 

417 


418  INDEX 

PAGE 

Bradley,  J 132,355 

Bragg,    Thomas    158 

Brown,  A.  B 78, 132, 155. 160,  397,  402-16 

Brown.  O.  D 230 

Brown,    P 257 

Brown.    S 98 

Broadus,  J.  A 44, 17,  78.  Ill,  119,  152,  155.  164.  391.  394.  404, 408 

Broaddus,   A 82,  92,  213,  254,  325,  384,  416 

Broaddus,  W.  F 63,  64,  162, 195,  237-247,  Zll ,  390 

Bruce,  S - 65,  238,  377-8 

Braxton,  L.  C 200 

Burke,   W 384 

Burrows,  J.  L 124,  323,  407 

Burnley,  C.  F 36 

Burnet,  J 57,167 

Burton.   R 381-3 

Campbell,  A 31 

Campbell,  D.  R 288 

Cawthon,  J.  H 365-6 

Chambliss,  N 308.309 

Chapin.  Stephen  148 

Chesapeake    College   197.407 

Chiles.  W.  J 222 

Chisholm,   J 198 

Christian,  R.  A 211.  212 

Christian  Review  332 

Civil    War    22,  27,  67,  74.  91,  94, 130,  162. 180. 182,  188,  189.  210. 

281,295,322.338,361,381 

Clarke,  J.  G 192 

Clay.  E 184 

Claybrook,   R 81 

Cleveland.  P 214-216 

Cleveland.   Grover  214 

Crawford,  T.  P 135 

Clopton,  A.  W 101, 103, 147, 177,  256,  325 

Clopton,  S.  C 133.  135.367 

Cocke,  C.  L 170.  405 

Cocke,  W.  A 35 

Coleman,  F 115 

Coleman,  J.  D 358 

Corey,  C.  H 124 

Courtney,  J 314 

Conant,  T.  J 385 

Crane,  J.  C 227 

Crane,  Wm 313,324 

Crane,  W.  C 384-8 


INDEX  419 

PAGE 

Creath,  T.  B 73 

Cridlin,  R.  W 222 

Croker,  W.  G 56 

Crowder,   H 52 

Cundiff,  H 328 

Curry,  J.  L.  M 124,  276,  302,  321,  326,  333,  413 

Dabbs,  R 28 

Dance.  M.  L 103 

Daniel,  R.  T 71 

Davidson,  J.  B 402 

Davidson,   S 365 

Davis,  D 214 

Davis,   N IZ 

Davis,  N.  K 236 

Davis,  Wm 167 

Decker,  W.  J 7.  263 

Dempsey,  A.  C 99,  166-171,  349 

Devan.  Dr 134 

Dickinson,  A.  E 174,  324,  347 

Dickson,   R .186 

Dodson,  E 222,339 

Doggett,  D.  S 326 

Dorset,  S 69-70 

Dunaway,  T.  S 326,  358 

"Dunlora"  33,222 

Duke,  A 297 

Dwight,  E 332 

Easten,  S 336 

Eaton,  G.  W 385 

Eggleston,  Eliza  J.  C 29 

Ellett,  E.  T 403 

Evans,  T.  B .2il-13 

Evans,  A.  B 213 

Everett,  A.  H 135 

Farish,  W.  P 76 

Farrel,  B.  L 160 

Fellers,  L.  P 349-50.  355 

Ferguson,  W.  M 272 

Field,  J.  G 44 

Fife,  James   .30,  36,  '225-236 

Forbes,  Evan  18 

Ford,   R 54-5 


420 


INDEX 


PAGE 

Fox,    George  1 1 

Fox,  J.  H 379 

Fox,  T 384 

Frazer,  Herndon  13,259-263 

Frazer.  W.  T.  B 97 

Fuller,  A 31.165 

Fuller,  R 387 

Funk,   S 329-31 

Gardner,   S 272 

Garlick.  J.   R 105,  124,  276,  278,  315,  326,  369 

Garnett.  Eliza  C 43 

Garnett,  J 65,  202-210,  377 

Garrett,  R.  B 191 

George.  Cumberland  41-44.  65 

Gilmour,   W 177 

Goggin.  T.  C 257 

Goodall.  J 48,188 

Goode,  E 69 

Gordon,  J.  C 96,  260 

Gordon,  J.   H 265-6 

Goss,  J 269 

Graves.  J.  R 361 

Gray,   G 171 

Gregory,  J 267 

Grigsby,  H.   B 186 

Grimsley,    B 65,  155,  389-96 

Grimsley,  A 65 

Gwathmey,   J 180 

Gwaltney.  J.  L 194 

Hagood.  M 255 

Halev.  L.  J 336,  358 

Hall'  A 45. 138-145,  328.  370 

Hall,   Henrietta    45 

Hall.  W.  C. 21 

Hampden-Sidney   28 

Haldane,  Jas.  A.  and  Robert  226 

Hamner,  J.  C 365 

Hankins,   W 256-8 

Hardwick.  J.  B 272 

Harris,  H.  H 409,  416 

Harris.  W 57-62,  132,  169.  257.  306.  375 

Hart.  J n,  175.  246.  262.  408 

Hatcher,  E.   B 201 

Hatcher,  H 59,61 

Hatcher,  W.  E 48,  59,  60,  276.  320.  327.  416 


INDEX  421 


Hatcher,  W .  L 59,  355-7 

Havmore,  R.  D 258 

HaVnes,  J.  A 283 

Henson,  P.  S 315 

Herndon.   Jacob  15,  230,  260 

Herndon,   Richard  36 

Herndon,  R.  N 63 

Herndon,  T 66,  238,  280-7 

Hiden,  J.  C 232,  407 

Hillyard,  J.  W 81 

Hinton,  James  19 

Hobday,  G.  J 189 

Hoge,  Moses  28 

Hoge.  P.  C 217-21 

Hollins    7,  132,  296, 406 

Hollins,  Mr 20 

Holmes,   Geo.  Frederick  410 

Howell,  R.  B.  C 71-75,  180,  188, 193 

Hume,  X.  Sr 186,  264 

Hume,  T.  Jr 201 

James,  C.  F 416 

James,  W 43 

Jeffries,  M.  D 393 

Jeffress,  James  12 

Jeffress,  J.  H 381 

Teter,  J.  B 46,  59,  60,  72,  99,  101, 110,  112,  125,  139,  166.  193,  196, 

236,  239,  273,  276,  294,  301-27,  370 

Jeter,  W 59 

Jewett,  M.   P 46 

Johnson,  J.  L 11,  78,  235,  260,  263 

Johnson,  J.  N 59 

Johnson,  T.  N 248 

Johns,   Bishop   1 1 

Johns,  John  291-2 

Johns.  Joel  11-12 

Jones,  J.  W 78,  235 

Jones,  T.  G 78,  129,  194 

Jones.  R 194 

Judson,  A 45,317 

Keeling,   H 45,  320,  384 

Keen,  T.  G 179 

Kerr,  Miss  S 217 

Keesee,  G.  W 252 

Keith,  A 370 

Kelly.  J.  W 59 


422  INDEX 

PAGE 

Kennard,  Mrs.  Tas 227 

Kerr,  John  19.  30.  93.  177,  188.  294 

Kingsford,  E 288.319 

Kirk,  W.  H 140,  328,  370-74 

Knapp,   Jacob   316 

Lacy.  J.  H 339-40 

La  Fon  184 

Lake.  L  B 199 

Lindsey,   W.   T 351 

Langston,   Margaret   28 

Lawrence,   J 370 

Lawrence,  R 147 

Lee   R   N  .  179 

Lef  twich,    Jas 103, 132,  375 

Leftwich.    Wm 132,  306,  355,  375 

Lilly,    R 218 

Long,  J.  C 78,  79,  325 

Love,  G 65 

Lugg,  P 73 

Lunsford,    M 59 

Manly,  B.  Jr 160 

Manly,  Charles  330,334 

Martin.  J 184 

Martin,  Wm 172 

Mason,  J.  S 362 

Mason,  S.  G 365,  405 

Massev.  J.  E 329 

Meador,   C.    C 51,  59 

Mercer,  L  M 139 

Mills.  J.  G 59 

Mirick,  S.  H 77 

Mitchell,  J 59,73 

Mitchell,  A 59 

Montague,  H.   L 254 

Montague,  R.  L 212 

Moore,  W 297 

Morell,  Z.   N 388 

Mylne.  W 56,  222 

McAllister,  J.  D 36 

McNorton,  D 370 

Nelson,  J 370 

Northam,   Geo 211 

Nunnally,  L 184 


INDEX  423 

PAGE 

Obenchain,  J.  J c'o'^co  a 

Ogden,  A.   H 59,  352-4 

Ogilvie,   J 5^^ 

S^Vk.:::::::::::::::::::::::::::": 

Owen,   Thomas,   ^^ 

Owens,  P ir: 

Owens,  R.  R ^5] 

Owens,  W ^°^ 

Parkinson,  J.  F 293-6 

Peabody,  George  7^"'cn  T^i^v 

Pearcy.    G 46,  59,  133-37 

Pendleton,   Philip  ^™ 

Perryman.  G.  W ^"^ 

Pinckard,  C ^{^ 

P1pa<;ant     S  "^"^-^ 

Poindexter,"  Ar'uZZ. 104, 121, 126, 146-164,  336.  339, 412 

Poindexter,   Jas.    E ^^U 

Porter.   J ^^n^^y  oah 

Powell,  J.  L 16.  96-7  260 

Powell.  W.  R htl 

Preston    J        

Prichard,  J.  L ^^'^^.^o? 

Prichard.  R.  S 24-25 

Pryor.  Mrs.  R.  A ■^^ 


Purvear,    B. 


335 


Quarles,  C ^44-6 


Randolph,  J.  T. 
Read.    M. 


79 
59 


Repiton,  A.  P 36.  ^-224 

Revnoldson.  J.  S 194,  21b 

Reynolds,   R 384 

Rice,  A.  A 91 

Rice    John  H 31,  103 

Rice    Luther  115,  126.  149.230.308 

Rice.  S.  B 248.  379-401,  404 

Richeson,   P.   L 95 

Rives.  W.  C ;:v    x;;-;;;,:;  ^"^ 

Richmond  College  7,  36. 48,  63,  74,  93, 114, 132, 156. 193,  336 

381.  385, 412 

Roach.  E.  W. ^59-365 

Robertson.   James   28 

Robinson.  E.  G 194 

Roane,  W.  G 358 


424  INDEX 


PAGE 

Roberts,  T.  W 248-251 

Ryland,  C.  H 7,  413 

Ryland,  Robert  36, 115, 179, 193,  288, 291,  315,  336 


Sanderson,  T.  N 59 

Sands,  A.  H 288 

Sands,    Wm 324 

Scott,  J.   R 194 

Sears,    B 322,  332-5,  385 

Semple,  R.  B 32,  72,  80,  101,  229,  308 

ShellDourne,    S 1 10 

Shuck,  J.  L 45-7,  63,  144.  191.  222,  314 

Shebbs,  R.  S 252 

Shipp,  E.  G 27 

Slaughter.  Mrs,  PhiUp  14 

Sheer,  Rev.  Mr 240 

Spilman,   A.    H 65,  182-3 

Sydnor,  T.  W 35,  150,  163,  176 

TaHaferro,  B 398 

Tahaferro,  C.  W 384 

Tayloe.  G.  P 132 

Taylor,  G.   B 78, 152, 158,  243,  252,  324.  400 

Taylor,  J.  B 20, 11,  108-27.  149. 158. 193,  317,  320.  336.  385 

Taylor,  J.  B.,  Jr 1%,  152,  183,  235 

Taylor,  J.  L 258 

Taylor,  S 184-5 

Temple,  Mary  E 105 

"The  Test"  16,  17.  97,  266 

Thomas,  W.  D 200,  252,  416 

Thornton,  J 370 

Tibbs,  C 332 

Tinsley,  I.  S 248,  348 

Todd,  Wm. 81,  211,  229 

Towles,  Therit,  14 

Towles,   Dr 17 

Toy,  C.  H 78,  235 

Trevillian.  G.  C 269 

Trimble,  S.  Y 340 

Tupper,  K.  B 236 

Turpin,  Jno.  0 222.  367-9 

Turpin,  W.  H 92 

Tyler,  J.  Z 276 

University  of  Virginia  25,115,123,321,347,395,404 


INDEX  425 

PAGE 

Virginia  Baptist,  The  17 

Virginia  Baptist  Education  Society  32,  35,  36 

Virginia  Baptist  Seminary  36 

Virginia  Baptist  Anniversaries  43 

Virginia  Baptist  Foreign  Mission  Society  43 

"Verdant   Lawn"   11 ,  79 

Van  Lennep,  H 384 

Wait,   S 1Z,IZ9 

Waller,  W.  M 397,  403 

Walthall,  J.  S 36,  93-4 

Wake  Forest  19,  158,  273 

Watkins,  A 28 

Watkins,  H.  W 165 

Warren,  P 128-131 

Warren,  P.  T 130 

White,  J 59 

White,  W.  S 104 

Whorley,  Z 59 

Wildman,  J.  W 350 

Williams,  J.  D 309 

Williams,  J.  B 414 

Williams,  J.  W.  M 21,  131,  194 

Willis,  J.  C 17 

Wise,  H.  A 129 

Wilson,  N.  W 94.  124,  270-8 

Witt,  D 59,  72,  98-107, 149, 169,  230,  278,  304 

Witt,  J 59 


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SHE  WAITED  PATIENTLY 


By 

MRS.  MARY  DIUGUID  DAVIS 


A  charming  little  piece  of  religious  fiction. 

Especially  recommended  for 
Sunday-school  Libraries 


Price    $1.25 


FOR  SALE  BY 

J.   P.    Bell    Company,  incorporated 

PUBLISHERS 

Lynchburg,  Virginia 


Princeton  Theological  Seminary  Libraries 


1    1012  01236  8413 


Date  Due 

FACUl 

( 

i 

f) 

PRINTED 

IN   U.   S.   A. 

